NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park to ramp up preparations for Sunday's game at the Arizona Cardinals.
Here's a look at the developments from the day:
-Tyjae Spears returned to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since early August.
The Titans running back was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason, and he's spent time since getting his mind and body right.
"It felt great to be back out there with my teammates," Spears said. "I just want to be confident in myself, and take it one day at a time. It has been tough (watching), and going through my own battles with my injury. It's been tough, but the past is the past and we're moving forward now.
"It's a blessing to be out there, and it's a blessing to me moving."
Spears said he's tried to stay connected with his teammates by taking part in meetings, and traveling with the team.
He thanked his parents for their love and support, along with helping take care of his two dogs, along the way.
"Me and adversity, we became friends," Spears said. "I've been through so much physically. It's another bump in the road, another obstacle I had to get over. … Thank you to my mom and my dad – they had my back the whole time, this whole six weeks they made sure everything was right for me."
Spears was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's session.
Here's a clip of Spears in the locker room today, along with another clip of him on the field:
-The Titans were awarded tackle Brant Banks off waivers, after he was waived by the Packers on Tuesday.
Here's that story:
-Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has been a beast this season, earning the praise of his coaches, and teammates.
"I'd be hard pressed, and I watch enough around the league, I'd hard pressed to find anybody on the interior defensive line playing as well as he is right now," Coach Brian Callahan said of Simmons. "It's been really fun to watch him play football. He's been impactful in every way, shape or form on the defensive line. I think he's playing football at about as high level as you can play. And the hope is that that inspires guys that are with him to try to match that. And I think they did. They played a lot better. We're getting better in that spot. I think we're using guys the right way. We're mixing in some of the pressure spots where we can help alleviate some of those one-on-ones, where we could try to send more guys to the quarterback. But those guys got to do their part too. That's all part of the process and keep finding ways to get them in the right matchups. But there's nobody, again, hard pressed to find anybody playing better football around the league than Jeff is."
After today's practice, Simmons talked about setting a tone, and an example, for his teammates:
Now for the injury updates:
-Right tackle JC Latham (hip) did not practice.
-Receiver Calvin Ridley (knee/elbow) did not practice.
-Offensive lineman Blake Hance (shoulder) did not practice.
-Receiver Bryce Oliver (knee) did not practice.
-Safety Mike Brown (knee) was limited.
-James Lynch (shoulder) was limited.
-RB Tony Pollard (NIR-Rest) was limited.
-DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest) was limited.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr. (was limited).
-Guard Kevin Zeitler (foot) was limited.
-Running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) was limited.
-The Titans will return to the practice field on Thursday to continue preparations for Sunday's game at Arizona.
Some more video clips from today:
