The Titans are back in division play in Week 6, and the assignment is another rough one: a trip to face the Indianapolis Colts while Tennessee sits at 0-5. With the season already drifting and the fan base starting to tune out, the focus in Nashville has shifted hard toward evaluation. That’s where the real value lies now.
For a team in full rebuild mode, these reps matter. The Titans need to keep learning what they have before they make any big decisions about the future, and three young players stand out as the ones worth watching most closely against the Colts.
Cam Ward is first on the list, and Week 5 gave a pretty clear reminder of why the Titans need to keep giving their rookie quarterback these opportunities. Against the Houston Texans, Ward had an uneven outing in a game where he got very little help around him.
The offensive line and the skill group were a mess at times, with Tyjae Spears coughing up a fumble and multiple passes hitting the turf. Ward flashed a little improvisation and made a few off-script plays, but he also drifted out of clean pockets when he didn’t need to.
Tennessee has to keep gathering evidence on him before drawing any quick conclusions.
Carnell Tate is another rookie who deserves a heavy dose of attention in Week 6. After his breakout against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 - nine catches on 12 targets for 145 yards - he hit a wall versus Houston, managing only one reception for six yards.
The volume was too light, with just five targets, and the Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. did a strong job taking him out of the game. Still, the Titans need to keep feeding their fourth overall pick and see how he responds when the ball comes his way more often.
LB Anthony Hill Jr.
In Other News...
Robert Saleh Just Put Titans Corners On Notice Before Colts
Through five games, the Titans pass defense has been leaning on its front and asking a lot from the back end, but the early returns at cornerback have been hard to ignore. Alontae Taylor and CorDale Flott have yet to break up a pass, and opposing quarterbacks have completed 80 percent of their throws when targeting them, a troubling stretch for a defense trying to find steadiness before Week 6 against the Colts.
Robert Saleh made it clear the expectations are rising, saying Tennessee needs more from both starting corners heading into a key divisional test. The timing matters, too, because the Titans pass rush has not been able to consistently take pressure off the secondary, with only 10 sacks in five games. Against Indianapolis, the corners are going to need to answer some of the questions that have been building all month. [Read more 🡒]
Tyjae Spears Is Putting His Titans Future In Serious Doubt
Tyjae Spears has stayed on the field through the Titans first five games this season, but the broader picture around him remains murky. After battling injuries and putting together only modest production as both a runner and receiver, Spears has not done enough to settle the long-term conversation, especially with Tennessee expected to overhaul its backfield next offseason.
The contract situation only adds to the uncertainty. Spears is in the final year of his deal in 2026, Tony Pollard is also headed toward free agency, and rookie Nicholas Singleton has yet to prove he can be the answer for the future. For a Titans team trying to sort out its running back room, Spears is still part of the discussion, but he may also be one of the names that comes up if the front office decides to make bigger changes. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Face A Brutal Week 6 Protection Question Against Houston
Liam Coens latest offensive line shuffle adds another layer of uncertainty to a Jaguars attack that has already had to keep adjusting on the fly. Walker Little is moving in at left tackle for Week 6 after Anton Harrison was set for knee surgery, a change that puts a premium on protection and communication just as Jacksonville heads into a matchup where the Texans front and overall defensive flexibility can make every snap feel a little longer.
Houston, meanwhile, keeps working through its own personnel moves, with DeMeco Ryans talking through the integration of Marvin Harrison Jr. after the receiver arrived from Arizona and rejoined C.J. Stroud. The Texans also got a small dose of good news on Jalen Pitre, who avoided surgery after an AC joint sprain, while Tank Dell was designated to return from injured reserve, leaving a lot of moving parts for a division game that could easily turn on who handles the trench and timing questions better. [Read more 🡒]