The Titans got through Week 3 of training camp with a 19-13 preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers, and the game gave a pretty clear snapshot of where the roster stands right now: some spots feel settled, others are still wide open, and a few players are forcing their way into the conversation.
The headline from the offense was Cam Ward opening the game with a scoring drive, then running into rougher waters after that. The second-year quarterback looked hurried and had trouble with his accuracy in the first half. Once the starters exited, Tennessee leaned on Joey Slye, who carried the night with four field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards.
That performance fits the larger picture for a Titans roster that already has a solid mix of veterans and youth. A lot of jobs appear spoken for, but there’s still real competition across the board. The season-ending injuries to Jaylen Harrell and Jaren Kanak also force a few changes in the latest 53-man projection.
At quarterback, the picture remains simple. Ward is still the guy, and none of the other quarterbacks did enough in the preseason win to put any real pressure on the backup battle.
Running back might have been the cleanest offensive story from the 49ers game. Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Julius Singleton all showed burst and explosiveness, giving the Titans’ ground game the best stretch of the offense. Singleton still needs work in third-down protection, but that’s the kind of detail a camp can iron out.
The wide receiver group gets one notable adjustment with Xavier Restrepo now included. Calvin Ridley, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Carnell Tate are the starters, while Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Bryce Oliver, and Restrepo fill out the reserves.
Restrepo’s calling card is simple: he makes plays. Oliver sticks because of special teams value, which helps round out one of the deeper spots on the roster.
At tight end, Gunnar Helm looks like the clear starter. Daniel Bellinger brings experienced depth after arriving with Daboll, and David Martin-Robinson is making a strong push for the final spot. Jaren Kanak, drafted as a seventh-round utility option, will instead spend his rookie year on injured reserve after tearing his pec.
Up front, the Titans have a few spots that still need sorting out, even if some names are already locked in. Dan Moore Jr., Peter Skoronski, and JC Latham are set, while Austin Schlottmann and Fernando Carmona seem to have the edge at the other starting spots.
Jackson Slater had a rough outing against the 49ers, but his age and position flexibility keep him in the mix. Pat Coogan and Andre James provide interior depth, and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson takes the swing tackle job.
The defensive line is built for rotation, and keeping 11 makes sense with head coach Robert Saleh planning to go about nine deep on game day. Herring turned in a solid showing against the 49ers and should see more work after Harrell’s injury, with a path to the final roster spot.
Linebacker looks close to settled. Cody Barton, Cedric Gray, and James Williams Sr. are the starters, with Anthony Hill Jr. and Mohamoud Diabate backing them up. The group may still have some questions about how the playing time will be divided, but there isn’t much movement elsewhere.
Cornerback is another spot that still needs cleaner play as camp moves deeper into August. Cor’Dale Flott, Alontae Taylor, and Marcus Harris remain the starters, with Joshua Williams, Keydrain Calligan, and Micah Robinson in reserve. The competition behind them is still active, so this projection could shift before camp ends.
At safety, Amani Hooker and Kevin Winston Jr. are the starters, while Tony Adams and Kendell Brooks hold the reserve spots. Brooks hasn’t done anything to lose ground, though undrafted rookie Bishop Fitzgerald is making a push.
And special teams remains centered on Joey Slye, Tommy Townsend, and Morgan Cox. Slye’s bounce-back against San Francisco was a big one, but he’ll need to keep it going if Tennessee decides to bring in competition.
In Other News...
Titans Backup Quarterback Battle Suddenly Feels Very Different Behind Cam Ward
The Titans backup quarterback race has already been one of the more watchable camp storylines behind Cam Ward, with Mitchell Trubisky and Will Levis both trying to separate in a competition that matters more than usual for a team trying to settle its depth chart. Trubiskys presence had been an important part of that battle, giving Tennessee another experienced option while Ward continues to get the first-team work.
Mitchell Trubiskys day took an uneasy turn at practice when he was seen favoring his throwing shoulder before heading to the locker room with a trainer. Tennessee has not yet said what the issue is or how serious it might be, and for a position battle that was still taking shape, even a brief absence can change the feel of the competition in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Get A Harsh AFC South Reality Check Before 2026
The Titans are heading into a new era under Robert Saleh, with offseason additions and the hope that a fresh coaching voice can help finally turn the page on a string of losing seasons. Tennessee is also banking on quarterback Cam Ward taking a step forward in his second year, which will be a major part of whether the roster starts to look more competitive in 2026.
Still, the early national picture is not especially flattering. NFL.coms preseason power rankings slot Tennessee at No. 24, and the more uncomfortable part for the Titans is where they land within the AFC South, below each of their division rivals. For a team trying to close the gap quickly, that kind of standing serves as an early reminder that the climb back to relevance will not be easy. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Secondary Just Took An Early Hit Fans Didn't Expect
The Titans secondary took an unexpected early-season hit when safety Nazeeh Johnson was sidelined under the leagues performance-enhancing drug policy. Johnson said the positive test came after he took fertility medication while trying to conceive with his wife, and the situation has left Tennessee without a depth piece it had counted on heading into the opening stretch of the season.
Johnson is eligible to return for the Oct. 25 game against Cleveland, but the absence still forces the Titans to adjust their back-end rotation in the meantime. It is a difficult development on both a football and personal level, and it leaves Tennessee waiting for more clarity on how it will manage the spot until he is back in uniform. [Read more 🡒]