NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday at Vanderbilt Health Football Center to continue preparations for Sunday's game vs the Houston Texans.
Here's a look at today's developments:
-Atonio Mafi got the start at right guard on Sunday in Baltimore.
Mafi, claimed off waivers last month from the Raiders, performed well, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said on Thursday.
"I was impressed," Daboll said of Mafi. "Him not being here very long, he has done a good job picking up the information, and going out there and communicating with everybody. We'll keep on growing with him.
"But for his first outing, I was pleased with a lot of the things that he did."
The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Mafi said he can play better.
Mafi, who played in college at UCLA, spent time with the Patriots (2023), Colts (2024) and Raiders (2025-2026), playing in 23 games over the past three seasons, with seven starts, primarily at guard, before joining the Titans.
"There's definitely a lot to clean up," Mafi said of the Ravens game. "I left some plays out there. I was excited to be out there, am excited to play."
So, what does Mafi need to do moving forward if he remains the starter?
"Since Day 1 when I first got here, I just wanted to be the best version my myself, the best version the team needs me to be," he said. "There's still a lot to clean up, so if my number keeps getting called, I have to keep getting better."
-Titans safety Amani Hooker began the practice week in concussion protocol.
Hooker did not practice again on Thursday. The Titans plan to monitor Hooker throughout the week.
-The Titans on Wednesday moved cornerback Joshua Williams to the team's Designated to Return to Practice list.
This designation opened up a three-week window for Williams to practice with the team, and he will not count against the team's 53-man roster until being activated from Injured Reserve.
Williams practiced again on Thursday for the Titans.
-I chatted with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Thursday.
Simmons said the team's mission is to "own the AFC South."
Here's a clip of Simmons:
And now for all the injury updates:
-Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (back) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
-Cornerback Marcus Harris (knee/ankle) practiced on a limited basis on Thursday.
-Titans tight end Gunnar Helm (knee) was added to the Injury Report. Helm practiced on a limited basis on Thursday.
-Titans receiver Carnell Tate (back) was also added to the Injury Report. Tate practiced on a limited basis on Thursday.
-Running back Tony Pollard (foot) practiced in full on Thursday.
-Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (back) practiced on a limited basis on Thursday.
-Safety Kevin Winston Jr. (shoulder) practiced in a yellow jersey, and on a limited basis, again on Thursday.
-Tight end David Martin-Robinson (hamstring) practiced in full on Thursday.
