The Tennessee Titans were back at it for their fifth open practice of training camp on Tuesday, and the second in which they were sporting pads.
There was a little dust-up between two players, as Jeffery Simmons and Jamarco Jones got into it, leading to both players being tossed from the session. It appears it wasn’t too easy to settle Jones down, either.
Both returned to practice later, and while it’s never ideal to see two players on the same team fighting, at least Jones is pissed off and showing some fire after the defense has been so dominant thus far in camp.
So Jeffery Simmons also got kicked out as a result of this. Both did sand pit work. #Titans https://t.co/LH1bwTKFsJ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
One interesting aspect of Tuesday’s practice was the fact that Titans players went off-script, with the coaching staff giving players a mini playbook the night before to work off of.
#Titans got a mini playbook last night to study up. Today’s practice will be unscripted, called out of that.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Now, the takeaways from the Titans’ fifth open practice of training camp, and the second with pads.
Injury watch
As #Titans finish Tema stretch, no sign of Corey Levin or Luke Gifford.
-Teair Tart is back after missing yesterday.— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Fulton was since on the field for some FG work. #Titans. https://t.co/K3ultgtpDd
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Kick returners
#Titans have Kyle Philips, Kearis Jackson, Tyjae Spears, Hassan Haskins, Reggie Roberson, Eric Garror back fielding kickoffs.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Linebackers stand out
Back to back big time plays by Azeez Al-Shaair. Stopped an end around for a big loss then shot in and destroyed a quick handoff to Tyjae Spears for another loss. Al-Shaair got up and had a lot to say.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Monty Rice has some range. Just ran down Jonathan Ward on a sweep to the outside.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
A quick look at #Titans LB Monty Rice. pic.twitter.com/ObLGhb6FH7
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Open-field tackling drill
Open field tackling drill at #Titans camp. pic.twitter.com/G8Tdlgkelw
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 1, 2023
Offensive line is improving... kind of...
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel said pass protection, and the pressure from the defense, looked like "shit through a brass horn" early on in camp, but said the pockets have been better since the pads have come on.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 1, 2023
#Titans first team offense had a really rough go in the current team period. Defensive front was overwhelming the OL. This was without Jeffery Simmons on the field too.
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 1, 2023
Tannehill series continues:
– complete to Spears left for quick gain
– Arden Key sack (blown dead) connect deep to NWI— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 1, 2023
Trey Wolff kicks, Caleb Shudak does not
#Titans Kicking update Trey Wolff is good from 42, 34, 38, 34, 56, 33, 54
Missed from 46 (wide right).— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
FG update: Wolff good on 7 of 8, misses from 46. No doubt about his leg strength, though
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) August 1, 2023
Chris Hubbard fills in at RT for Jamarco Jones
Jamarco Jones has been working in the sandpit since being booted after a altercation with Jeffery Simmons. Chris Hubbard came in when Jones was taken out. Simmons is out of the sandpit now and Mike Vrabel is talking to him during special teams period.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Will Levis looked good with the twos
Good thing is these three plays came after a mistake by Levis when he didn't pick up the defense blitzing. Bounced back for three good plays. https://t.co/Moch2rO9IU
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Will Levis looking sharp in #Titans team period yet again. Made some really impressive touchdown throws to his left.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) August 1, 2023
Vrabel said Will Levis will continue to work in with the 2s from time to time. Looked good in the drive he had with the 2s.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 1, 2023
Vrabel said Will Levis will continue to work in with the 2s from time to time. Looked good in the drive he had with the 2s.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 1, 2023
QB @will_levis after #Titans practice on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/jmMviqIGgn
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 1, 2023
DHop and Tannehill cooking
Ryan Tannehill to DeAndre Hopkins on back to back completions. First one was to the sideline with Sean Murphy-Bunting in coverage for a first down. Next one was a big gain on play action across the middle. Hopkins found a hole in zone and made the catch.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Up-and-down day for Malik Willis
Reggie Roberson came back and went to the ground to make a catch short of the goal line. Big gain, But really bad short throw from Malik Willis. Could’ve hit him in stride for easy TD. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Good job by Malik Willis buying time. He wanted Alize Mack on a deep cross but Shyheim Carter picked it up. He tucked it and rolled to his left and found Kyle Philips. Next play Willis found Alize Mack on a seam for a big gain. Monty Rice was in coverage.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Malik Willis 11v11 series #Titans
– QB keep but not much room to run
– complete quick, facing pressure to Kinsey middle
– (false start 78) Malik finds Ward open on sideline for big gain
– Chesnut stuffed by McCloud
– Malik chased by McCloud, throw to Dowell out of bounds— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 1, 2023
Malik Willis still out for 11s. #Titans
– Play action throw to Kearis Jackson complete for big gain over the middle
– Incomplete looking Whyle in the endzone
– Throw should have been intercepted – dropped by S Matthew Jackson. Tim Kelly very unhappy.— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 1, 2023
Good day for Reggie Roberson
Will Levis just led a nice TD drive working with the twos. Two big catches by Reggie Roberson including the score. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Reggie Roberson has had a strong day of practice for the #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 1, 2023
Player coach comments
Mike Vrabel offers an example of a successful correction. #Titans pic.twitter.com/9j2mbqdscU
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel didn't want to address the mini-scuffle with Jeffery Simmons and Jamarco Jones in today's practice. He sent them off the field, into the dreaded sandpit after that.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 1, 2023
#Titans Treylon Burks on the confidence he's gained from the work he put in to prepare for this sesson. pic.twitter.com/CnoTjRFWF7
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Will Levis on how he did with an unscripted practice. #Titans pic.twitter.com/x0h6cRVBCE
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
#Titans LB @A_train2_ with the question for @ArdenKeyEl : pic.twitter.com/eDnBNQezk2
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 1, 2023
“I can set the edge. It’s nothing to set the edge.”
Arden Key says he just needs to be on the field to show his complete game. #Titans pic.twitter.com/zr0dzbFV8W
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Arden Key on the volume of people from #Atlanta. #Titans pic.twitter.com/zp0T6KJDdb
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Arden Key says early in his career he didn't respect the process and tried to get by just on talent. Now he understands the importance of putting in the work.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
