NASHVILLE - Robert Saleh didn’t wait for Sunday to make his point about Carnell Tate.
With the Tennessee Titans finishing their work week before a trip to Baltimore, the head coach singled out the rookie wideout on Friday and called him “a tough son of a gun.” The Titans shared the remark from Saleh’s media session on their official X account, and it landed at the end of a week in which Tennessee has been trying to get itself pointed in the right direction for a noon CDT kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tate, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, has been on the field for all three of Tennessee’s games so far. He’s caught 13 passes for 123 yards and has yet to score. His most productive game came in last Sunday’s 12-7 loss at the New York Giants, when he finished with 6 catches on 9 targets for 58 yards - both career highs.
That outing also gave a snapshot of what he’s doing for this offense. Through three weeks, Tate has been the Titans’ leading receiver in yards, even as slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson has drawn more targets early in the season and added a touchdown catch in the Giants game. Tate’s 9.5 yards per catch, along with an average depth of target around 10 yards, suggests a role that has included work underneath and chances to stretch the field.
Here’s how his first three weeks have looked: Week 1 against the Jets: 4 catches for 38 yards in a 23-10 loss.
Week 2 against the Eagles: 3 catches for 27 yards in a 24-20 loss. Week 3 at the Giants: 6 catches for 58 yards, with a long of 20, in a 12-7 loss.
Saleh has been steady about why Tennessee used the No. 4 pick on Tate in the first place. Since draft night, he’s described him as the top receiver on the team’s board and framed the move as a way to give quarterback Cam Ward another weapon. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, is working through his second season in a new staff, with Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll both hired in January.
“Not to say he’s the most important piece, but he’s pretty important, and that’s our quarterback,” Saleh said in April. “We’re doing everything we can to help him and surround him with players who can get the ball in their hands and go score.
Carnell was obviously by far the top receiver on our board. When we got to No. 4, it was a very easy decision to make.”
Tate’s background helps explain why the Titans were so eager to take him. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, is 21 years old, and is from Chicago.
At Ohio State, he played in 39 games with 27 starts and finished with 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 2025, he put up 51 catches for 875 yards and nine scores in 11 games, earned second-team All-America honors and first-team All-Big Ten recognition, and missed three games because of a calf strain.
He’s also available for this week’s game. Tate is not on Tennessee’s Week 4 injury report and was on the practice field Thursday at the Vanderbilt Health Football Center.
Earlier in the rookie season, he dealt with stiffness that limited practice time in late August and again before the opener, and he was evaluated after taking a hard hit in a training-camp practice. He was cleared for Week 1 and has not missed a game.
The rest of the Titans’ injury picture is concentrated elsewhere. Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, dealing with a back issue, and running back Tyjae Spears, who has an ankle injury, were limited.
Tony Pollard returned to full participation Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a foot issue. Safety Kevin Winston Jr., listed with a shoulder injury, was added and practiced fully.
Guards Fernando Carmona and Jackson Slater were placed on injured reserve this week after getting hurt in the Giants game, and Saleh said both are expected to have surgery with a hope they can return later in the season.
Baltimore comes in at 2-1 and brings a familiar face back into the picture in Derrick Henry, who leads the NFL with six rushing touchdowns. Saleh, who was not on Tennessee’s staff during Henry’s time in Nashville, said Wednesday that Henry “still has aura” and called him a future Hall of Famer.
The Ravens’ injury report also matters. Lamar Jackson, working through a back issue, and wide receiver Zay Flowers, dealing with a hamstring, were full participants Thursday after limited work Wednesday. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, also nursing a hamstring issue, was full as well.
That sets up a stern test for Tate and the Titans’ passing game, especially with Humphrey in the mix on the back end. Saleh has made clear from the start that he wants this roster to play “fast and violent,” and Friday’s description of Tate fits that standard.
The rookie has shown up every week as a starter in the passing game without finding the end zone yet. Against Baltimore, Tennessee will be looking for that production to grow - and for the toughness Saleh praised to show up when it matters.
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ESPNs Dan Graziano raised the possibility that Pollard could surface as a trade candidate if he stays healthy and the Titans are not planning to extend him. If that path opens, a number of contenders could take notice, with the Saints, Vikings and Packers all mentioned as potential suitors looking to add a proven back into their plans. [Read more 🡒]