NASHVILLE – The Titans returned to the practice field on Monday at Vanderbilt Health Football Clinic.
Here's a look at 10 observations from practice No. 10 of training camp
-Receiver Carnell Tate made the catch of the day in Monday's practice, a true "Wow!" moment. Tate also gave the Titans a bit of a scare, but it sounds like he'll be OK. On a Cam Ward pass in a two-minute period toward the end of the session, Tate went up high to make an incredible spinning catch, but he was popped in the air by safety Kevin Winston Jr. "Big boy catch!," was overheard from the mouth of one Titan receiver. But the collision sent Tate to the ground, and he was slow to get up. Tate walked to the sideline, and off the field a few minutes later when practice ended. "I feel good about where he's at," Coach Robert Saleh said of Tate. "He's getting evaluated, but I think he just got a little bit dizzy. I don't think we're concerned about concussions or anything."
-It was another effective day for Ward, who completed 22-of-28 in the practice, including 19-of-25 in team periods. Ward is now 43-of-53 in the two practices since the 49ers game. Ward threw a bullet to Tate midway through practice, and he found receiver Elic Ayomanor sprinting away from him on another nice completion.
-Quarterback Mitch Trubislky did not finish practice, and Saleh said he's getting looked at for a bicep injury. "I think we're good," Saleh said, "but I'm the eternal optimist." Trubisky completed 8-of-13 passes before going inside, and that left quarterback Will Levis getting more work. I had Levis at 12-of-19 in his busiest practice of training camp so far.
-The Titans are thin at running back, as neither Tony Pollard, Nick Singleton nor Kalel Mullings practiced on Monday. Running back Julius Chestnut got a lot of work, and he had a nice day. Chestnut turned a screen pass into a big play, and he also scored on a touchdown run near the goal line. Running back Michael Carter busted off a couple of nice runs in the latter portion of practice. I'll get to Tyjae Spears later.
-Receiver KJ Osborne provided a highlight-reel play, and some comic relief. Osborne caught a deep ball from Trubisky, with cornerback Micah Robinson all over him. Somehow, Osborne came down with the ball, and in celebration he used an expletive. The play happened right in front of one of the stands filled with fans. Osborne, quickly realizing his surroundings, turned around and smiled before making the sign of the cross, and a prayer sign, as if he was asking for forgiveness. Many in the crowd laughed.
-Robinson has given up some plays in camp, but he's also made his share of plays as well. In fact, I've been impressed with his feisty style during the course of the offseason, and in camp. I had Robinson with three pass break-ups on Monday, when he battled. I also had Jalen McMurray, Dominique Hampton, Cor'Dale Flott, Bishop Fitzgerald, Joshua Williams, and Erick Hallett with PBUs on Monday.
-Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was beastly once again. Simmons might've had two sacks in a game, because he was in the backfield plenty. I also had Simmons with a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage, and several runs stuffs. Linebacker Cedric Gray probably deserves his own paragraph, but I'm squeezing him in here because I'm running out of categories. Gray had two run stuffs early, and was very active.
-Kicker Joey Slye had another good day, going 6-of-6 in today's session. After some early struggles in camp, Slye has now made 16 straight field goals, counting the six he made in the joint practice against the 49ers, and the four in the game.
-Safety Tony Adams was removed from the hot, steamy practice for throwing a punch. This was a competitive practice, where guys really competed. But, for the most part, players kept their cool.
-Once again, it was a busy day for pass-catchers, with so many footballs in the air. Running back Tyjae Spears was really busy on Monday, running the ball and catching it. I had Spears with a practice-high six catches, with tight end Gunnar Helm having the next closest with four. Tate, Chestnut, Wan'Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger had three catches each. Bryce Oliver was among six players with two catches, but I'm mentioning him because he made a tough, physical catch on the sideline.
