The Tennessee Titans still can't have nice things, can they? | Estes

The Tennessee Titans were back out there bright and early on Aug. 6, getting in a practice before the following night’s fan scrimmage at Nissan Stadium. Here’s a few thoughts from the sideline:
still don’t get to have nice things

Second-year receiver Elic Ayomanor has been one of the clear standouts of the early days of Titans training camp.

So, of course, Ayomanor was injured during a red-zone drill, going for a pass in the corner of the end zone between the coverage of Alontae Taylor and an arriving Kevin Winston Jr.

Ayomanor appeared to be knocked to the ground by Winston and hurt his shoulder. Titans coach Robert Saleh said afterward that the shoulder “feels stable” but there was more the team needed to check. Saleh didn’t fault the physicality of a “bang, bang” play and complemented Winston for his “range” in getting there. (Winston ended up with the ball in his hands. He intercepted the pass, but evidently he hadn’t stayed inbounds).

I did see Winston later walk behind the end zone all the way to the offensive sideline, and I’d presume that he was checking on Ayomanor, his fellow rookie from last season.

Even if the injury wasn’t serious, shoulders can bring tricky timetables for receivers. In this instance, it’s a shame, frankly. Ayomanor had been consistently one of the Titans’ most productive offensive players in this camp, including this practice. He’d snagged a touchdown pass over Taylor earlier in the morning.

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practice Notes

As for the entire practice? It was on the sleepy side. This was kind of practice you can get in a training camp when it’s hot and the fans are suddenly missing after being there for previous workouts. There was one minor skirmish after a play, but the intensity wasn’t close to the more pugilistic Aug. 4 practice that Jeffery Simmons didn’t get to finish with the team because he’d thrown a punch.

Most of the team drills were in the red zone, and all the offensive units struggled mightily to complete passes and get anything across the goal line. After a break, Cam Ward did muster a better stretch, finding Carnell Tate and tight end Daniel Bellinger for touchdowns. But the defense won the day. Again.

It feels like four of the five offensive line spots are locked up for the Titans. Right tackle JC Latham has returned to practice. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr., was back out there in this practice after leaving the previously one early. Center Austin Schlottmann isn’t facing a serious challenge, and left guard Peter Skoronski might be one of the better players on the entire team.

There’s still no answer at right guard, and it doesn’t sound like will be one soon. Saleh said the Titans “aren’t close yet,” and that’s seems obvious by how many different candidates keep being worked into the mix. Personally, I’d still handicap Cordell Volson as a betting favorite. But Jackson Slater has a shot, too.

And rookie Fernando Carmona Jr., has been getting a longer look lately, which could be either good or bad. Would be good if it’s a sign of early progress for Carmona, but bad if it’s solely a result of the fact that no one else is seizing the spot and running with it. Feels like it’s the latter, but we’ll see.

Two young inside linebackers, Anthony Hill Jr., and James Williams Sr., are continuing to stand out in team drills. Each had a PBU early in scrimmage work – and Williams’ might have been a forced fumble. He thought so, at least, returning it all the way the other direction into the end zone. I’d keep an eye on increasing roles for each of these guys as camp progresses.

• Saleh said prior to training camp that quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Will Levis would be competing for the No. 2 spot behind Ward, but there’s been nothing on the field to indicate that Trubisky’s backup spot is under threat. Trubisky is consistently working behind Ward, followed by Levis, and that still doesn’t leave any team reps for Hendon Hooker. It has been this way since the summer.

Saleh said prior to training camp that quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Will Levis would be competing for the No. 2 spot behind Ward, but there’s been nothing on the field to indicate that Trubisky’s backup spot is under threat. Trubisky is consistently working behind Ward, followed by Levis, and that still doesn’t leave any team reps for Hendon Hooker. It has been this way since the summer.

• With no apparent competition for kicker Joey Slye and punter Tommy Townsend, neither position is getting much attention this preseason. I’ll just mention, though, that Slye did miss a few field goals during one drill in this practice, with the misses floating wide right.

With no apparent competition for kicker Joey Slye and punter Tommy Townsend, neither position is getting much attention this preseason. I’ll just mention, though, that Slye did miss a few field goals during one drill in this practice, with the misses floating wide right.

• Rookie center Pat Coogan continues to have occasional trouble with high shotgun snaps.

Rookie center Pat Coogan continues to have occasional trouble with high shotgun snaps.

• NFL Network was in town for this practice, with Saleh, Ward and others from Titans-land making appearances on set afterward.

NFL Network was in town for this practice, with Saleh, Ward and others from Titans-land making appearances on set afterward.

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Tennessee Titans still can’t have nice things, can they? | Estes