NFL Tennessee Titans practice turned combative in the heat when Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons tangled after a Ward TD pass to Calvin Ridley. Ward celebrated with his signature move, and Simmons responded with a push that sent a helmet flying as teammates snuck in to de-escalate. The moment underscored Ward’s competitive fire and the defense’s edge in camp.

The sequence followed Julius Chestnut’s short TD, with JC Latham barking toward the huddle after a block that sprung the play and drew taunts from Ward and Latham toward Simmons. Dan Moore Jr. and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. spoke to the locker room’s mood, stressing that the quarterback’s resilience matters, and Titans coaches had the squad sprint after practice to close it out. The day highlighted a high-tension, high-ambition camp culture in Nashville.

Brownlee’s praise of Ward’s doggedness and the team’s willingness to respond with intensity capture the competitive atmosphere surrounding a rookie QB battle and a veteran defensive lineman intent on making a statement. It’s a storyline that fantasy managers will watch as Ward’s progress shapes the QB depth chart, Ridley’s role, and the offense’s ability to channel this swagger into real-game production.

The Titans’ three joint practices with Tampa Bay and Atlanta produced a mixed bag of signals as the roster turnover settles in. Offensively, the line emerged as the clear strength, grading higher than the rest of the unit and hinting at a solid foundation for the run game if health cooperates. The QB room sits in the middle, with Cam Ward showing development but backups lagging behind. Depth at running back feels thin behind Spears when healthy, while wideouts show more bodies than true impact players, led by Ridley. The defense stumbled most at the edge and corner spots, though safeties offered steadiness. Special teams hover around average. The injury tick continues to matter for CBs and backfield depth, a refrain Titans fantasy managers should note as preseason work progresses.

Ultimately, the Titans appear better up front than in the back seven, with the O-line and interior run defense providing a stable base. Fantasy angles tilt toward Ridley as a clear focal point in the receiving corps and Ward as a potential streamer in deeper leagues if he earns trust and consistent reps. The trio of joint practices exposed depth questions—RBs behind Spears and credible CB options behind McCreary—issues that will shape roster decisions and fantasy values as the preseason unfolds.

Injury risk, depth, and line play dominate the storyline. If the Titans can stabilize the edge and corner positions and keep Spears healthy, the offense could maximize its upside while the defense pressures more consistent performance from the front. Until then, fantasy managers should weigh Titans exposure with caution, focusing on the pass-catching options and swing backs who could emerge as season-long contributors if opportunity aligns.

Tennessee’s Tyjae Spears will miss the remainder of the preseason due to a high ankle sprain, with team officials hopeful he can return for Week 1 against Denver. Spears has battled injuries in recent seasons but flashed multi-tools as a rookie (453 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs and 52 receptions for 385 yards; 536 total yards and 5 TDs last year). The injury opens up backfield opportunities in the short term as Tennessee leans on Pollard and a pair of backups to absorb carries as Spears heals.

In the near term, Pollard is positioned for a larger workload after a Pro Bowl-caliber season that saw 1,079 rushing yards. Kalel Mullings and Julius Chestnut figure to benefit if Spears’ absence extends, with Mullings’ 948 rushing yards and 12 TDs at Michigan and Chestnut’s 22-carry tally last season providing a path to increased touches. Fantasy managers should monitor Spears’ timeline and the Titans’ depth chart as Week 1 looms against Denver.

Tyjae Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in Saturday’s preseason tilt, sidelining the Titans’ early RB plans. Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings stepped in behind Tony Pollard, with Mullings producing 7 carries for 33 yards and Chestnut adding 3 for 18 as the Titans gauge their backfield depth.

Cam Ward flashed in limited action, and Brandon Allen locked in as the clear backup quarterback. On the outside, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett offered reminders of their playmaking ability, while Pollard stayed productive before Spears exited. From a fantasy lens, Mullings’ and Chestnut’s performance shapes immediate depth and potential split-work scenarios behind Pollard.

Keep a close eye on Mullings’ pass-catching versatility and Chestnut’s between-the-tackles efficiency, as the injury timeline for Spears will dictate how quickly Pollard’s workload shifts and which back emerges as the most viable waiver add or flex play in the early weeks.

Tennessee opened 2025 preseason with a 29-7 loss to Tampa Bay, but the early takeaway was the rookie showing in the Titans’ depth chart. Ward’s NFL debut offered a glimpse: two early series, a clean pocket feel, and a scoring drive that ended with Pollard’s TD, followed by a tougher stretch as the offense stalled. Chestnut and Mullings supplied spark in the backfield, while Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle struggled to sustain drives. The team also faced questions on defense, especially against the run, and special teams penalties muddied the performance. Notables who sat included Zeitler and Cushenberry, complicating the evaluation up front. Coaching kept a steady plan, but overall grades reflected the improvisational nature of preseason film.

From a fantasy lens, the standout threads are Ward’s continued development and the running-back competition behind Chestnut. Mullings flashed as a potential breakout candidate if his role grows. The Titans’ run defense is clearly a work in progress, and the special-teams miscues hint at volatility for the position battles as the roster shakes out. In all, Week 1 provided actionable threads for late-season rosters and dynasty-watch targets as Tennessee sorts its quarterback rhythm and backfield depth through the exhibition slate.

Key takeaways: Ward’s poise matters for long-term depth-chart projections; Chestnut and Mullings are worth monitoring for incremental touches; the defense needs to clamp down on the ground game; and special teams will be a daily tease until the unit refines its coverage and return schemes. The coaching staff will have more to test in subsequent preseason outings as they refine the roster and game plan for the regular season.