Titans quarterback Cam Ward made a nice first impression in his NFL preseason debut.
In Saturday night's 29-7 loss to the Buccaneers, Ward completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards before leaving after the team's second offensive series.
It was the highlight of the night for the Titans.
"Some good, some bad," Coach Brian Callahan told reporters after the game. "A lot of guys getting their first NFL action. Cam played well in the two series he got. Kind of a weird first half, with only three possessions. Had one three-and-out, and led a touchdown drive. I thought he looked good, started to feel a little bit comfortable, was begging to go back in, but that wasn't in the cards for tonight.
"I thought he did some good things, and it was encouraging."
The Titans went three-and-out on Ward's first possession, which ended in a punt.
But on Ward's second possession he completed three passes to receiver Calvin Ridley, one to receiver Tyler Lockett and another one to tight end Chig Okonkwo to lead the Titans downfield, and they scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard.
"It felt good operation-wise," Ward said. "We really didn't have any MAs (missed assignments). I think the biggest thing was us being able to play in a real-game atmosphere together, getting the vibe of each other and then playing together like we did."
The Buccaneers jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Pollard's touchdown, which capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that took 6:38 off the clock.
Ward's first completion was a 27-yard pass to Ridley, and he also found Ridley open for completions of 10 and 13 yards. Ward also completed a seven-yard pass to Lockett, and a 10-yard pass to Okonkwo on third and nine from the 24-yard line to continue the drive and set up Pollard's touchdown run.
Ward was replaced by Brandon Allen on the team's third possession. Quarterback Tim Boyle finished the game for Tennessee.
The Buccaneers led 13-7 at the half on a two-yard run by Sean Tucker and a 23-yard field goal by kicker Chase McLaughlin.
The Buccaneers extended their lead in the second half with a Ryan Coe field goal and a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Owen Wright before a late defensive touchdown.
The Titans are scheduled to practice against the Falcons on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week before a preseason contest against the two teams on Friday night.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Preseason Week 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Tampa, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
