NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to continue preparations for Sunday's game vs the Seattle Seahawks.
Here's a look at the developments from the day:
-Titans receiver Chimere Dike lost a close friend to an undiagnosed heart condition back in high school.
On Sunday, as part of the NFL's 'My Cause, My Cleats' initiative, Dike will honor his buddy, Kai Lermer, with his cleats. The cleats have been designed with Waukesha North High School colors, some of the sports Dike and Lermer played together, and lettering from the memorial fund created in his name.
"Me and (Kai) will be taking the field," Dike said, "and it's just really a blessing."
Lermer's high school friends and parents started a memorial fund in honor of Kai, who was a junior in high school when he passed away in 2019. Dike has also taken part in football camps that have raised money for the cause.
Dike said he supports the organization's mission to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and promote EKG screening to help prevent similar tragedies in student athletes. Lermer was just 16 years old when he collapsed and died while playing basketball with friends.
"I obviously saw 'My Cause, My Cleats' growing up and thought this was the perfect opportunity to shine a light on (Kai and the memorial fund). … It was really tough on the whole community (when Kai passed away). Luckily, I have some really good family and friends that helped me through it.
"It just made me appreciate those around me and understand the bigger picture of how much people mean in your life."
-The Titans moved running back Kalel Mullings to the team's Designated to Return to Practice list last week.
This designation opened up a three-week window for Mullings practice with the team, and he will not count against the team's 53-man roster until being activated from Injured Reserve.
Mullings practiced again on Thursday, in full.
Here's a clip of Mullings in the locker room:
-And below a clip of receiver Kristian Wilkerson, who is from Memphis.
Wilkerson signed with the team's practice squad earlier this week.
Now, for more injury updates from Thursday:
-Receiver Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) did not practice for the second day in a row.
-Linebacker Joe Bachie (ankle) practiced in full once again.
-Cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (knee) returned to practice, but was limited.
-Safety Kendell Brooks (concussion) did not practice for the second day in a row.
-Receiver Chimere Dike (chest) practiced in full for the second straight day.
-G/C Corey Levin was added to the injury report with a neck injury and listed as limited.
-Tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) was limited for the second straight day.
-Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest) returned to practice after getting a day off, but was limited.
-Running back Tyjae Spears (NIR-Rest) practiced in full after an off day Wednesday.
-Edge rusher Jihad Ward (NIR-Rest) practiced in full after an off day on Wednesday.
-Safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) did not practice for the second straight day.
-Guard Kevin Zeitler (NIR-Rest) returned to practice after a day off Wednesday, but was limited.
-The Titans are scheduled to practice again on Friday, ahead of Sunday's game vs the Seahawks.
Some more video clips from today:
