Cam Ward endured a rocky night in Tennessee’s 23-20 win over Atlanta, finishing 2-of-7 for 42 yards. His lone highlight came on a 35-yard crossing connection to Elic Ayomanor, the Titans’ rookie bright spot, before Ayomanor’s catch was overshadowed by a Van Jefferson drop on a deep shot. Ward accepted the miscue, stressing joint accountability and using the moment as a preseason learning tool. He remains intent on taking shots downfield, even in limited reps, and views every preseason moment as a stepping stone toward Sept. 7 in Denver.

With one more tune-up against Minnesota and roster-cut pressure looming Aug. 26, Ward underscored the need to minimize penalties and flatten execution. He believes the path to his pro debut is paved by preparation, not perfection, and he’s embracing the grind of preseason reps to build confidence for the regular season.