The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday for what was their last full session before the preseason opener on Saturday against the Chicago Bears.
The Titans will spend Friday traveling to Chicago ahead of their noon CT kickoff at Soldier Field on Saturday. Head coach Mike Vrabel revealed some starters will play, but didn’t say who, nor did he name a starting quarterback.
However, I suspect Willis, who was named the No. 2 quarterback going into camp, to start, with Levis coming in afterwards. It remains to be seen if each will get a half or if they’ll alternate quarters. Don’t expect Ryan Tannehill to take the field, though.
After there was a bit of panic stemming from DeAndre Hopkins’ absence on Tuesday, the three-time first-team All-Pro was back on the practice field on Thursday, albeit a little later than everyone else.
In other news, Teair Tart was back, but five others were absent.
As has been the case all training camp long, the defense won the day, but a few offensive players who we haven’t heard much from managed to stand out.
Keep scrolling for all of those takeaways and many more based on what beat writers on the ground reported.
Attendance: DeAndre Hopkins returns
Jim Wyatt, Titans Online: “DeAndre Hopkins, who got the day off on Tuesday, was back at practice on Thursday, although he didn’t come out until later in the session.”
Wyatt: “Defensive lineman Teair Tart returned to practice.”
Wyatt: “Defensive back Chris Jackson, defensive back A.J. Moore, offensive lineman John Ojukwu, defensive lineman Naquan Jones, and tight end Alize Mack did not practice on Thursday.”
Kicker update
Shudak, Wolff both go 4 for 4 from 26, 38, 33 and 44.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 10, 2023
NWI struggling with drops
NWI has dropped a lot of balls in camp. Two more today, one just now in end zone in red zone work. From Ryan Tannehill.
Nevertheless, I think he’s entrenched on this roster.
I discuss it on the podcast that dropped last night. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Great heads-up play by DB Alonzo Davis
LJ Davis saw the WR alignment, called it out and switched off perfectly with Tyreque Jones and picked off the Will Levis pass to Kearis Jackson. Great recognition and play on the ball.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
Bad day for offense, especially in red zone
Rough red zone period for all #Titans QBs, No TD passes, no completions and capped by a pick six by Alonzo Davis off Will Levis.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 10, 2023
Ryan Tannehill picked by Roger McCreary.
BAD offensive day for #Titans. Feels concerning.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Wyatt: “The defense picked off three passes in Thursday’s session, including safety Amani Hooker’s INT of quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the very first play of 7-on-7s. It was a sign of things to come. While the offense made its share of plays as well on a misty, rainy day, the defense came up with a lot of stops near the end zone to frustrate the offense.”
Some standout throws from Malik Willis
Malik Willis had a very quiet, lackluster day at #Titans camp until ripping a 45yd TD pass to Chris Moore in this 50 second drill.
The kind of gorgeous play you see from him every other day out here that makes you wanna buy stock.
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) August 10, 2023
Malik Willis for RedZone 7v7s. #Titans
– Wide open to Rader for a TD
– Good throw for Whyle. TD over the top of Steven Jones Jr.— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 10, 2023
Going deep 🎯 pic.twitter.com/8clZrYgG4w
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 10, 2023
Will Levis rebounds
Will Levis bounced back nicely. Led an impressive drive with 4 completions to the sideline. #Titans
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 10, 2023
Amani Hooker "having a nice camp"
Wyatt: “I mentioned Hooker’s interception, which came on a Tannehill pass intended for Chris Moore. Defensive back Kristian Fulton got his hand on the football, knocking it into the air, and Hooker came down with it. It was a great defensive play from both players. Hooker posted interceptions in back-to-back practices to close out the week, and, as mentioned previously, he’s having a nice camp.”
McMath, Whyle, Spears sightings
Wyatt: “Receiver Racey McMath had a good day, coming down with a couple of tough catches across the middle.”
Wyatt: “I noticed Whyle more on Thursday than any other day during camp. Whyle caught two touchdown passes from Willis today.”
Wyatt: “Running back Tajae Spears showed some burst on a couple of runs, including a red zone carry that resulted in him finishing in the end zone.”
Dillon Radunz working on the side again
Wyatt: “I saw offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, who remains on PUP, working on a side field with a trainer.”
Practice videos
#Titans QB footwork pic.twitter.com/rQBEPmFkyk
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
#Titans QBs on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/LpSKEG5C4o
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
Quick glimpse at Titans QBs this morning: pic.twitter.com/KqDvU68a1e
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans DBs going through ball security drill on Thursday morning. pic.twitter.com/QI5Lfh9iuC
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans Treylon Burks coming into your screen pic.twitter.com/aoy00W5CGc
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
A look at #Titans WR Reggie Roberson pic.twitter.com/ImSHrWVoqE
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
Titans WRs work on getting open not once, not twice, but three times. No DeAndre Hopkins today, by the way: pic.twitter.com/DK0BXdRNvF
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 10, 2023
Coach comments
Mike Vrabel. Starting QB decision has been made, won’t be shared. Some starters will play. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Mike Vrabel is looking forward to having a different viewpoint on game day not being the head coach. His focus will be on the operation-how new coaches like Tim Kelly, Chris Harris are on the headset.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
#Titans pass game coordinator Charles London on what he’s looking for from QBs Malik Willis and Will Levis on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/SYdPttjnBu
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
“We see football exactly the same.” — Terrell Williams on Mike Vrabel. pic.twitter.com/87HE9nTJZh
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Terrell Williams doesn’t have butterflies, says he won’t be overwhelmed. It’s about the guys fighting for jobs. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/CqJwnQ8iIr
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Terrell Williams on just how complete his head coaching takeover is. #Titans pic.twitter.com/9ue9AHDTGt
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
What Terrell Williams is most curious about as he heads into a preseason game as a head coach. #Titans pic.twitter.com/zQ9Sxari7b
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
#Titans OLB coach Ryan Crow on rookie edge rusher Caleb Murphy. pic.twitter.com/VC5DvgJvGm
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans OLB coach Ryan Crow said the energy from Arden Key is awesome and contagious. Crow also likes the versatility that Key and Denico Autry bring to the OLB/DL group. pic.twitter.com/wECU3y3wAO
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
#Titans LB coach Bobby King said Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice have both made cases to be starters. King also compared and contrasted their game. pic.twitter.com/zNwGp1FiRC
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
Really a big fan of Ben Niemann. Thought he could challenge for a starting role, wrong there, but I think he will be a big depth piece this year.
I won’t be terrified if he has to play, basically. #Titans https://t.co/uEktNUwYdV
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) August 10, 2023
Things are starting to come together for #Titans WR Reggie Roberson. He's had four consecutive practices where he's made plays. WR coach Rob Moore said it really comes down to confidence. pic.twitter.com/laMaMm8X0V
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
Rob Moore on this. #Titans. https://t.co/cKvWs85MZP pic.twitter.com/vmRgiGd81i
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
#Titans safety @amanihooker37 has two INTs this week in practice.
Here’s safeties coach Scott Booker talking about Hooker’s camp earlier today.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
Player comments
Lebanon’s @ColtonDowell2 looking forward to making his NFL debut for #Titans on Saturday vs the @ChicagoBears in preseason opener. pic.twitter.com/70iPVrPhea
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans first-round pick @PSkoronski ready to play in his first NFL game. pic.twitter.com/TvKys0vtYn
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans QB @malikwillis on Thursday.
He’s looking forward to the preseason opener. pic.twitter.com/7rIps1Y5Ay
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
#Titans DB @ElijahMolden24 wants to play in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/YxM54lWpow
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
Molden on learning safety position: pic.twitter.com/YehCwoF8UC
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 10, 2023
Daniel Brunskill on what was largely a bad day for the #Titans’ offense. pic.twitter.com/6kkL1chUfe
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 10, 2023
Brunskill on process of O-line forming chemistry: pic.twitter.com/pnLeCgXHex
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 10, 2023
.@will_levis after Thursday’s #Titans practice. He’s looking forward to Saturday. pic.twitter.com/SBuHTFAntF
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 10, 2023
Andre Dillard has strung together a couple of good practices. Said he's found a good comfort level. pic.twitter.com/ObBF2OEfId
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 10, 2023
Next open practice: Monday, Aug. 14 (9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. CT)
