NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to ramp up preparations for Sunday's game vs the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here's a look at the developments from the day:
-Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm had the football from his first career touchdown in his locker on Thursday, a souvenir from this past Sunday's game in Indianapolis.
He plans to take it home and put it on his mantel with the touchdown ball he caught in the preseason in Atlanta.
A fourth-round pick of the Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft, Helm is developing nicely in his first NFL season.
Helm credits tight ends coach Luke Stocker for helping him become an all-around player.
"He has completely slowed the game down for me in the run game," Helm said of Stocker. "I feel more confident, and I feel like I'm playing fast. He has helped me with all the obstacles of learning an NFL offense. … It's hard to not listen to him when he did it at a very high level for a very long time."
Helm has 19 catches for 172 yards this season. He's probably even more proud of his work as a blocker, which coaches say has improved tremendously since he first arrived with the team.
Helm continues to work on his technique to keep improving.
"Blocking, it's half the job," Helm said. "Being a complete tight end is more prideful than being a primary receiving tight end."
Now, for all the injury updates on Thursday:
-Cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (concussion) was a full participant on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday.
-Offensive lineman Blake Hance (shoulder/back) did not practice for the second day in a row.
-Edge rusher Arden Key (quadriceps) did not practice for the second day in a row.
-DE James Lynch (shoulder) was limited for the second day in a row.
-Tackle Dan Moore (shoulder) returned to practice and was a full participant.
-Tight end Chig Okonkwo (foot) did not practice after being limited on Wednesday.
-Receiver Bryce Oliver (knee) was limited for the second day in a row.
-RB Tony Pollard (neck) was a full participant after being limited on Wednesday.
-Receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) did not practice again.
-Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) did not practice again.
-Safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) did not practice again.
-Guard Kevin Zeitler (NIR-Rest) was a full participant after being limited on Wednesday.
-Outside linebacker Jihad Ward (NIR-Personal) did not practice on Thursday.
-The Titans return to the practice field on Friday to continue preparations for Sunday's game vs the Chargers.
