NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 16-13 to the Texans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Ridley's Injury
Receiver Calvin Ridley returned on Sunday after recovering from a hamstring injury. On the team's first offensive play of the game, Ridley broke his fibula after making a 13-yard catch. Ridley was carted off the field from the sideline, and interim coach Mike McCoy said he's out for the season. "Feel for him," McCoy said. "He worked so hard to get back to where he was and obviously that happened." Quarterback Cam Ward said losing Ridley hurts. "Just sad, man," Ward said of Ridley. "Sending prayers his way. He is somebody who is in the building, doing his job every day. He is a true pro. He is one of the first people to show me just what it is to be a pro day in and day out when I got to Tennessee. So, for him to go down, it's a bad feeling." Ridley wasn't the only injury coming out of the game. Receiver Chimere Dike cleared concussion protocol, but he did not finish because of a chest contusion. Receiver Elic Ayomanor came out of the game with a hamstring injury at the end.
Cam Ward's Day
Once again, it was some good, some bad for Ward. In the closing minutes, Ward directed an 11-play, 95-yard drive to tie the game at 13-13. Ward made a beautiful throw to tight end Chig Okonkwo for a 39-yard gain, and he connected with Van Jefferson from four yards out for the game-tying score. I liked the way Ward ran the ball on occasion, something he hadn't been doing. His three carries, for 33 yards, helped the cause. I didn't like seeing Ward turn the ball over again. He's now lost the ball six times on fumbles this season, but let's face it – he's been under pressure too often, sacked 41 times on the season. Ward was 26-of-41 for 274 yards on the day, with the touchdown pass. It's tough to heap much praise on the QB, however, with all the three-and-outs, and missed opportunities. "We didn't do enough on offense," Ward said. "You score 13 points and you are not going to win a lot of games. We have to help the defense out – they played their butts off today, and they do it every week for us. But we have to come through for these guys in the back half of the season."
Penalties, Penalties, Penalties
The Titans continue to hurt themselves with penalties. The team was flagged nine times for 62 yards in the contest, and another penalty was declined. Right tackle JC Latham had three false starts, and offensive linemen committed six of the nine penalties. Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was flagged for unnecessary roughness for making contact with Houston's long snapper. Simmons didn't like that call. Latham answered for his mental errors at his locker after practice. "You want to do your best for your team," Latham said. "Felt like that didn't help that, so. … That's a mental thing. You just got to do better."
Barton Makes Plays
The Texans had first-and-goal at the Tennessee six-yard line early, but didn't score because the Titans rose up with a goal-line stand. On a fourth-and-goal play from the one-yard, Titans linebacker Cody Barton sacked Texans quarterback Davis Mills, and the Titans took over. It was part of a big day for Barton, who tallied five tackles, a sack, and three passes defensed. "We were sticky in our underneath stuff," Barton said. "Ced (Gray) and I talked about all week, just be sticky on them. I was really hunting to get an interception. That's what we need on this defense, we need some turnovers. That's something I have to do more, I have to find a way to get a takeaway to help the team." Gray finished with a team-high 11 tackles, tied with cornerback Darrell Baker.
A Frustrated Simmons
Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons busted it to get back for Sunday's game, and as usual, he played with great intensity and effort. Simmons tallied a sack, one of four on the day for the Titans. In the locker room after the game, Simmons was visibly upset. I'll just let his quotes tell the story: "It was tough as hell (to lose). I mean, we got to play complementary football. It's not good enough. Too many self-inflicted things today, like all around. Three-and-out, three-and-out, three-and-out. We got to be better. We're tired of sugarcoating it. I'm tired of sugar coating it. We need to be better. Especially at home. Can't have that many false starts. We need to be better. I mean we can't keep sitting up here saying the same thing, trying to sugarcoat it for the media, for anybody. And I said it in the locker room, I said it on the field. I'm tired of sugarcoating it. I mean we need to be better. At the end of the day, we need to protect Cam (Ward) better. Simple."
Soldier Reunification at Halftime
During the team's Salute to Service game against the Texans, the Titans helped surprise and reunite Master Sergeant Sizemore and his family. After spending the last six months in Kuwait with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) of Fort Campbell, Sizemore was welcomed home by country music star Trace Adkins at halftime – after a surprise. Adkins performed a song, then introduced several veterans, including a 101-year, World War II Navy veteran. Sizemore's family watched a video before Master Seargeant Sizemore came out of the tunnel as his kids, Aiden and Addison, raced to him, and embraced him. It was a cool moment.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Camden Hall/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans compete at Nissan Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
