Latest news with #Titans'
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Titans waive 2022 1st-round pick WR Treylon Burks, who injured his right shoulder in practice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans waived injured receiver Treylon Burks on Monday, two days after the former first-round draft pick injured his right shoulder while making a diving catch in practice. Burks was the Titans' first-round draft pick at No. 18 overall in 2022, a selection acquired by trading Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown to Philadelphia. Burks was hurt more often than not in his first three seasons out of Arkansas.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Tennessee Titans Fantasy Preview 2025: Cam Ward, Calvin Ridley, and a relevant offense
Let's start with the basics of the Titans' 2025 season: Cam Ward is a dawg and brings a new and desperately needed energy to a fledgling franchise that hasn't had a personality for years. Ward practically dared the Titans not to use the first overall pick in the 2025 draft to make him the face of their faceless franchise. Ward has wasted no words since he was taken at No. 1 overall in describing the work it would take to turn the Titans into a real NFL team. Ward's offseason plan was as follows: 'Just work out, stay in the playbook and throw the f— out of the ball.' Simple enough. Ward has been clear with Titans beat writers about being unaccustomed to losing. He doesn't plan to start now, and often uses colorful language to hammer home his point. The first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft doesn't intend to play Titans football, because Titans football stinks. 2024 Tennessee Titans (Ranks) Points per game: 18.2 (27th) Total yards per game: 304.2 (26th) Plays per game: 60.7 (23rd) Dropbacks per game: 33.3 (24th) Dropback EPA per play: -0.056 (27th) Rush attempts per game: 26.5 (18th) Rush EPA per play: -0.175 (29th) Can Cam Ward Revive A Listless Franchise? Ward will bring Mahomesian traits into his rookie season: The scrambling, the sixth sense amid pressure, the awareness of everyone's location on the field at any given moment, the ability to make off-platform throws into tight windows. Ward showed during his time at Miami that he's unafraid to make risky throws, that he's ultra-confident in his abilities, and he's not going to change his game for anyone. Ward brings an edge to an otherwise edgeless football team. That includes Brian Callahan, entering his second and likely final year as the team's head coach. Callahan has talked this offseason and reigning in Ward and creating an offense predicated on safe, EPA-friendly throws. That's not happening. Callahan might think it's happening, but it's not. Thankfully for the Titans and their down-bad fans, Ward is not going to play that game. Passing game QB: Cam Ward, Brandon Allen WR: Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike WR: Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson WR: Elic Ayomanor, Treylon Burks TE: Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle Ward is really into Calvin Ridley, who last season led the NFL in air yards. While you can't feed your family with air yards, they are a decent indication of a player's opportunity and usage. It would hardly be shocking if Ridley led the league against in air yards in 2025. This time, however, it counts. The Titans placed Ridley's locker directly next to Ward's locker. The two have reportedly been inseparable over the past couple months, discussing route concepts, coverages, and taking extra reps together during Titans OTAs. Ward has dubbed Ridley a 'dawg' and a top-five NFL wideout. It's abundantly clear that Ward understands his success in 2025 hinges largely on Ridley as his primary weapon. It should be a good fit. Only three college quarterbacks in 2024 had more deep ball completions than Ward, who was graded by Pro Football Focus as last season's fourth best downfield passer. Ward represents a stunning upgrade for Ridley over the likes of Will Levis and Mason Rudolph, two of 2024's worst downfield throwers. Ridley makes for an excellent mid-round option for fantasy drafters who largely fade the wideout position in the early rounds. Having Ridley as your WR3 this season will feel almost criminal. Don't dismiss the veteran because he didn't convert his precious air yards in 2024. Lockett's peripherals have fallen off a cliff, as you might expect for a wideout entering his age-33 season. Lockett ended the 2024 season as the Seahawks' third or fourth pass catching option, mostly running wind sprints down the sidelines and rarely seeing downfield looks from Geno Smith. Lockett last year in Seattle caught five of his 12 downfield targets for 150 yards and a touchdown. He ranked 48th out of 116 wideouts in ESPN's open score, which measures a pass catchers' ability to separate from defenders. Lockett could have some sneaky -- if volatile -- value in a Tennesee offense without a lot of target competition. Even so, he should be considered a deep league option. Ayomanor, taken with the 186th pick in the 2025 draft, had a hefty 14.3 average depth of target in college and is considered a solid contested catch specialist who uses his body well on deep shots into coverage. Callahan and other Tennessee coaches spoke highly of Ayomanor during the team's rookie minicamp. He's set to take on an immediate starting role after Treylon Burks sustained a broken collar bone during Titans training camp, potentially costing him a chunk of the 2025 season and creating a path for Ayomanor to seize a spot in three-wideout sets. Ayomanor will be a high-variance weekly option who should be left on waiver wires in 10 and 12-team leagues. Okonkwo last season was useless for fantasy purposes while Will Levis was under center for Tennessee. With Mason Rudolph, from Week 14-17 — a tiny sample, I know — Okonko was third in tight end receptions and fifth in tight end targets. With Rudolph dropping back, Okonkwo saw a target on 27 percent of his pass routes as the Titans' primary check-down option. That's a noteworthy rate, to put it as mildly as possible. Over his three-year NFL career, Okonkwo has commanded a target on a solid-if-unspectacular 20 percent of his routes. A solid route participation rate in 2025 should make Okonkwo a good-enough fantasy option in 12-team formats. He's a fine target for drafters who wait until the final rounds to snag a tight end. Running Game RB: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Kalel Mullings OL (L-R): Dan Moore, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry, Kevin Zeitler, JC Latham Tony Pollard eventually emerged last season as Tennessee's lead back after sharing the role with Tyjae Spears for much of the season's first month and a half. Spears sustained multiple brain injuries in 2024 and dealt with undisclosed personal and professional issues that have been vaguely referenced by Callahan and other Titans coaches this offseason. Callahan, for his part, has said Spears -- entering his third NFL season after averaging 2.8 catches per game in his first two years -- has had an 'unbelievable offseason.' 'One of the things about Tyjae (Spears) is I heard a lot about Tyjae when I got here, about the type of person and the player that he was,' Callahan said. 'And we've had conversations, but he did have a challenging year, both personally and professionally and there was some things that we've had to sit and visit about on different occasions. I give a lot of credit to him because he's had an unbelievable offseason in terms of his energy, his effort, his clarity and what he wants to get done.' Back in the coaches' good graces, perhaps Spears has an outside shot at grabbing lead back duties in 2025 from the fine-but-unspectacular Pollard, who in 2024 was 61st out of 81 qualifying rushers in EPA per carry, in the range of Miles Sanders and Antonio Gibson. There's always a chance neither Spears nor Pollard takes control of the Tennessee backfield. That would leave both guys as borderline RB3 options in 12-team formats. Their fantasy value would spike if the other back missed time in 2025, just as we saw Pollard average a whopping 22 carries in games Spears missed in 2024. Pollard's rushing metrics mostly got back to form in 2024. Finally recovered from the broken leg he suffered at the end of the 2022 season, Pollard ranked ninth in rush yards after contact per carry, higher than notable names like Jahmyr Gibbs and James Cook. After having almost no explosiveness in his disappointing 2023 campaign, Pollard racked up 30 rushes of more than ten yards last season; only seven running backs had more. Pollard and Spears last season ran behind one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. Only the Jaguars and Patriots created fewer yards before contact, a metric that shows how much space an o-line is creating for its rushers. Hopefully the team's offseason moves will create a slightly friendlier rushing environment for the Titans backs. Tennessee Titans 2025 Win Total DraftKings over/under: 5.5 wins I'll take the over here based mostly on Cam Ward's extraordinary dawg levels and his ability to make a play when things are falling apart. That's something the Titans have sorely missed, especially during the short-lived Will Levis era. Levis, of course, could turn a well-designed play into a pick-six better than anyone in recent NFL history. The Titans whiffed on Levis, who was a bad QB at every level of football during his entire life and probably shouldn't have been drafted at all, much less in the second round. I don't think they'll miss on Ward, who can at least make them respectable while they wait to transition from the crushingly mediocre Callahan.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee Titans training camp: Winners and losers from Week 1
Will James Williams be a starter on the #Titans defense this year?He snagged a nice pick off Cam Ward today 🔥 #TitanUp(🎥 @Titans on IG) The Tennessee Titans have an off day Sunday after wrapping up their first week of training camp on Saturday with an open practice at Nissan Stadium. Although it's early, an air of excitement surrounds this team as they head into the 2025 season, and there is genuine hope that they can turn things around after a disastrous 2024 season. With a new young quarterback and a new attitude throughout the organization, the future looks bright. Throughout the first week of practice, it was clear that the youth movement is real, and the coaching staff and front office are prepared to lean on their young talent heading into the season. While there will surely be some bumps in the road, the risk is worth the reward. With the first week in the books and the players enjoying some downtime, it's time to take a look back at some of the winners and losers from the three open practices. Winner: LB James Williams Many outside the organization had Otis Reese pencilled in as the starter next to Cody Barton, but it has been James Williams who has come to camp and opened some eyes. The former college safety looks comfortable at linebacker and is flying around and making plays (including an interception on Saturday). The 2024 seventh-round pick opened camp by receiving first-team reps during the team's initial 7-on-7 sessions and has continued to build upon that. If the young linebacker can continue to develop, his addition could add even more athleticism to a new-look defense. Loser: LB Otis Reese IV Many expected Otis Reese to open camp as the leader in the battle for the open linebacker spot next to Barton in the middle of the Titans' defense. Unfortunately, he has been virtually invisible during the opening sessions. Of course, that could all change when the Titans move into padded practices, but for now, it appears he has lost some ground to Williams in the competition for the starting job. Winner: QB Brandon Allen The immediate winner in the aftermath of the surprise announcement that Will Levis was headed to injured reserve due to a shoulder injury was Brandon Allen. While it was likely he was ticketed to stay with the organization in some capacity to help Cam Ward with his transition into the NFL, Allen is now firmly entrenched as the Titans' backup quarterback heading into 2025, and can continue his role helping head coach Brian Callahan ease Ward into the league. Loser: WR Treylon Burks What started as a story of redemption took a turn for the worse on Saturday when Treylon Burks fractured his collarbone while diving to make a reception early in practice. This is the latest injury setback for the former first-round pick, and it may mean it's the end of the line for his career with the Titans. Winner: S Kevin Winston Jr. Kevin Winston was finally able to hit the field after missing all of the offseason activities rehabbing his torn ACL, and the rookie has made the most of it. Widely regarded as one of the top safety prospects in college before an injury wiped out most of his 2024 season, the young defensive back looks fluid and a natural fit for the Titans' system, and is already flashing starter potential in his first days of on-field work. Winston brings athleticism and physicality to the position and appears to be a player with a skill set who could help Tennessee slow down opposing tight ends, an area they struggled with in 2024. Kevin Winston Jr. is going to be a factor for the #Titans defense this season. Loser: CB L'Jarius Sneed L'Jarius Sneed still hasn't taken the field with the team in any major capacity in 2025, and opened camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after undergoing a clean-out procedure on his knee in May. The veteran cornerback has been a significant disappointment during his time in Nashville, and fans are growing increasingly impatient. With no timetable for his return other than week-to-week, there is a growing concern that the Titans may have to look outside the organization for some veteran depth in their young cornerback room. Overall outlook Over the first couple of practices, the new-look defense has looked sharp and is making plays, but the offense is coming on after a solid showing on Saturday. With Will Levis out for the season, Cam Ward is the unquestioned starter and is receiving 100 percent of the first-team reps, something that will benefit the young signal caller heading into the season. One group of players that could be considered potential losers heading into the next few weeks is veteran depth players. Tennessee has already begun the process of trimming the bottom of its roster and has parted ways with a few veterans. Keondre Coburn and Colton Dowell are already casualties of the youth movement underway in Nashville, and it's possible that more could follow as they head deeper into camp. With the team transitioning from football in shorts to padded practices, look for the Winners and Losers list to grow in the coming weeks.
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Treylon Burks injury: Tennessee Titans wide receiver sustains fractured collarbone during practice; check details
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans' wide receiver suffered a fractured collarbone during practice on Saturday (July 26). This injury comes after the team's announcement that quarterback Will Levis will miss the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury, further complicating the Titans' preparations for the upcoming season. Treylon Burks sustained the injury while making a diving catch on the sidelines during an open practice at Nissan Stadium. Notably, the injury occurred as Burks chased a deep pass from rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. The fourth-year wide receiver made a spectacular one-handed catch but landed heavily on his shoulder, causing the fracture. Titans head coach Brian Callahan issued a statement post-practice, saying, 'Treylon Burks is being evaluated right now for a shoulder injury and we'll have an update on his status at the appropriate time.' This injury marks another setback for Burks, who missed the final 12 games of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in practice before a Week 7 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Despite his determination to return stronger, this new injury will sideline him for the foreseeable future. Selected 18th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Burks was expected to be a cornerstone of the Titans' passing game. However, injuries have limited his impact. In three seasons, he has registered 53 receptions for 699 yards and one touchdown across 27 games. His 2024 season was cut short by the ACL injury, which also restricted his participation in offseason activities like OTAs and minicamp. Burks arrived at training camp in a good physical condition, earning praise from new general manager Mike Borgonzi. Reflecting on his journey, Burks said after the first day of camp, 'The last three years, my injuries limited me from being who I really am. I feel like I'm in a good place, man. God has brought me from the lowest to the highest and the highest to the lowest. I'm blessed for that.' Unfortunately, this latest injury will delay his opportunity to showcase his full potential. The Tennessee Titans have strengthened their receiving corps this offseason to support No. 1 overall pick Cameron Ward. They signed six free agent wide receivers, including Matt Landers and former Raiders receiver Ramel Keyton, who joined the team following Burks' Titans also drafted Stanford's Elic Ayomanor and Florida's Chimere Dike in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, along with signing undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo, Ward's former Miami teammate. With Treylon Burks sidelined, the Titans will depend on their revamped receiving group to fill the gap.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans' player under most pressure entering 2025 NFL season
The post Titans' player under most pressure entering 2025 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Maybe there's a Tennessee Titans battle for the quarterback position, or maybe it's just talk. Because Cam Ward is the guy this year. And that's why Ward is the Titans' player under the most pressure entering the 2025 season. Wait, you might say. He's just a rookie. But remember, this is the NFL. Careers often don't last all that long, even for quarterbacks. And if a quarterback has a bad season right out of the gates, recovery can be difficult. Just ask Ward's backup, Will Levis. He was a second-round pick in 2023. And after two middling seasons, he's already pretty much an afterthought in the Titans' plans. There are several reasons why Ward is under pressure. Titans QB Cam Ward must produce quickly First, Titans fans are getting a little antsy. The team won back-to-back double-digit games in 2020 and 2021. But they won seven in 2022, six in 2023, and only three in 2024. That's the wrong direction. And Ward comes in as the No. 1 overall pick. He won't get a chance to develop slowly. Need proof? Just look at last season. Bears QB Caleb Williams threw for 3,541 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. But the Bears posted a record of 5-12, and some people are already writing off Williams. That could happen to Ward, too. However, one good thing is Ward has his teammates standing up for him already, according to Good Morning Football via 'First off, I think that our team — the Tennessee Titans — never get the respect and attention we need,' defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said. 'I've never seen the No. 1 pick overall never get the respect. And, quite frankly, the attention that he deserves.' The Titans are hopeful Ward can bring security to the position and give the team a hope for a strong future. 'I think that's a chip on his shoulder,' Simmons said. 'You could tell by the way he goes about his business — his swagger, his demeanor — this gonna be one of the ones that I'm excited to see. I'm excited to get back to camp next week to be more around him and learn a little more about him.' Practice results good for QB Cam Ward Ward showed something in practice, according to 'It was after a play, we stopped him, and I think I ended up getting a sack,' Simmons recalled. 'All of the sudden, we're talking smack and Cally (head coach Brian Callahan) is giving him the dang play and I'm still talking smack to him, I'm jawing because that's my game. I want to talk smack, I want to get in your head. 'It didn't faze him. He's still talking smack while Cally's getting the play to him. He's giving the play to the offense, still talking smack to me. The next play after the smack talk, he threw an 80-yard bomb to Calvin Ridley. So, that right there showed me we got us one. He's legit.' Ward is already gaining the confidence of his offensive lineman, too, according to 'I think he's a great player and a great pick for the team,' tackle J.C. Latham said. 'He has an immense amount of talent, shows up every day ready to work with the right attitude to hold himself accountable, and holds himself to a standard that a lot of people can learn from.' And left tackle Dan Moore Jr. said he feels the swagger of Ward. 'Whenever he's talking, he has a sense of confidence that guys can feel,' Moore said. 'And I sense that we'll be able to feed off of energy from him. One of the hardest things for a quarterback is just getting a grasp of the huddle. And fluidly say the play and remember the play to get command of the huddle as well. I feel like [Ward] has that.' Brian Callahan says Cam Ward is putting in effort Head coach Brian Callahan said Ward is working hard to make an impact this season. 'I think he's done a good job so far,' Callahan said. 'Cam understands how to interact with them. He's played enough quarterback to understand how important those guys are and what those relationships mean.' As for Ward's viewpoint, he said he's learning as he goes. He said he's leaning on the things he knows how to do already. 'I would say just the biggest thing I do is just talk to them,' Ward said. 'Whether it's in the locker room or when we get a chance to meet up outside the facility. Not everything got to be about football. But when we walk into the building, we know it's all business.' Ward will get his first chance to show what he's got when the Titans open their season on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7.
