The Tennessee Titans are still sorting out the shape of their offense in training camp, and that uncertainty hangs over everything else. Robert Saleh, as a defensive-minded coach, has a much clearer read on what his defense should look like. On the other side of the ball, though, there’s still a lot of moving parts and not much certainty.
Cam Ward is heading into his second season, but the Titans still have to build the right environment around him if they want things to click. Right now, the offense does not have a locked-in plan, and that lack of clarity could be a real concern as the season gets closer.
One area the Titans are addressing is depth at running back. The team signed veteran D’Ernest Johnson, adding another body to a room that already includes Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and fifth-round rookie Nick Singleton, among others. Johnson will have to earn his way onto the 53-man roster, but he does bring another layer of competition.
There’s also movement along the offensive line. The Titans have apparently settled their right guard battle by naming fifth-round rookie Fernando Carmona, out of Arkansas, as the starter. He beat out Jackson Slater and Cordell Volson for the job, and the Titans appear ready to trust him as a player they can develop over the next four years.
Around the league, “Hard Knocks” Episode 3 offered Titans fans a look at what to expect in joint practices and the second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. The biggest storyline in that episode was the behind-the-scenes look at the team’s decision to sign cornerback Terrion Arnold.
And in another piece of NFL news that could matter in the AFC South, second-year wide receiver Jayden Higgins will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ACL in training camp. That injury has an impact on the Texans, who remain a threat to the Titans in the standings.
In Other News...
Titans Running Backs Just Got The Disrespect Fans Will Remember
The Titans backfield looks set up for another season built around Tony Pollard, with Tyjae Spears positioned as the primary insurance policy and rookie Nicholas Singleton giving Tennessee a third option in the room. It is a group that still carries some intrigue because of how the offense could lean on the ground game if the passing attack has a hard time finding consistency.
Still, Pro Football Focus preseason ranking landed the Titans running back room at 22nd, a label that will not sit well with a fan base that expects more from one of the leagues most important position groups. The number itself is only part of the story, because Tennessees backs are going to matter plenty if the offense needs them to shoulder a bigger load than the outside perception suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Roster Shakeup Puts Unexpected Focus On Their Defensive Depth
The Titans kept their roster moving this week, adding veteran defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Milo Eifler after recent workouts while also making a change at tight end by releasing Matt Lauter. The pair of defensive signings fits the kind of late-summer roster churn that often reveals where a team thinks it needs more insulation, especially when injuries and availability start to reshape the back end of the roster.
Nazeeh Johnsons move to injured reserve adds another wrinkle for Tennessee, coming shortly after he was suspended for six games for violating the NFLs Performance Enhancing Substances policy. With Johnson unavailable and the Titans bringing in players who have already bounced around the league, the emphasis now shifts to how much reliable depth they can build on defense before the season settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Add Two Defenders As One New Arrival Suddenly Stands Out
With a joint practice against the Seahawks on deck and another game looming, the Titans are continuing to churn the bottom of the roster while trying to keep the defensive depth chart stable. Tennessee placed safety Nazeeh Johnson on Reserve/Injured after his six-game suspension for violating the NFLs Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, then opened the spot by releasing tight end Matt Lauter and bringing in defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and linebacker Milo Eifler.
The two additions give the Titans some extra bodies on defense at a time when preseason reps matter, and Kpassagnon in particular is a name that immediately jumps off the page among the newcomers. With the roster still in flux this close to the Seattle week, the more interesting question is how quickly Tennessee can sort out which of these fresh faces is simply filling space and which one might force his way into a larger role. [Read more 🡒]