Tennessee Titans training camp: Biggest takeaways from Saturday practice

Mike Moraitis

•
Tennessee Titans training camp: Biggest takeaways from Saturday practice image

After not having an open practice for a few days, the Tennessee Titans allowed the media back in for their latest training camp session on Saturday morning.

Ahead of practice, head coach Brian Callahan confirmed Paul Kuharsky's report that Hopkins would indeed miss time because of an injury. The good news is, Hopkins won't need surgery, Callahan said.

"It's not a surgical issue, so the timeline could vary on those injuries," Callahan said. "So it will be a few weeks probably until he's back and ready to roll."

Kuharsky reported Hopkins is dealing with a strained knee, which could sideline him four to six weeks. If it takes on the longer end of that timeline, the veteran wideout could be out for Week 1, which is about five weeks away.

However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that DHop is likely to return on the shorter end of that timeline, which would put him on track to be ready for Week 1.

Now, what you came for: the biggest takeaways from the Titans' latest training camp practice based on beat writer observations.

Titans training camp takeaways

Who didn't practice?

Cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Anthony Kendall, wide receivers Bryce Oliver and Tre'Shaun Harrison,  safety Jamal Adams and guard Saahdiq Charles were absent from Saturday's session, per Terry McCormick of Titan Insider. Charles was not practicing for a personal reason. Of course, Dhop was absent, also.

Caleb Farley, Kearis Jackson exit early

Wide receiver Kearis Jackson and cornerback Caleb Farley did practice initially, but both left early. Jackson was listed with an apparent foot or ankle injury, but Farley's issue isn't clear.

NPF returns

After missing the entire offseason program and nearly two full weeks of training camp as he recovered from an offseason knee procedure, Nicholas Petit-Frere returned to practice.

Callahan said that NPF would be eased back in. The 2022 third-round pick found himself in a rotation at right tackle on Saturday (more on that shortly).

Will Levis starts out strong, throws a pick

According to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com, Levis had a hot start to the day but ended up tossing his third pick of training camp. Here's what Wyatt wrote:

Quarterback Will Levis started out strong once again, hitting on his first four passes, and eight of his first nine. Levis hit some deep balls, and he threw some strikes across the middle. Levis, however, was picked off for the third time in training camp. I had Levis 6-of-9 in team periods, and 6-of-8 in 7-on-7, making him 12-of-17 for the day. I now have Levis 75-of-105 with three interceptions in 7-on-7 and team periods combined in camp.

AtoZ Sports noted that defensive back Elijah Molden was responsible for the pick, which came after linebacker Jack Gibbens tipped the pass. Levis threw the ball into tight coverage in what was described as a "bad decision."

Offensive line rotation

With Charles out, Dillon Radunz was getting "a lot" of work at right guard during team period, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport, who also noted that there was a rotation at right tackle between NPF, John Ojukwu and Jaelyn Duncan.

Dennard Wilson's aggressive defense on full display

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson wants his defense to be aggressive, and he showed what that is going to look like on Friday. Per Davenport, Wilson's unit was  "attacking every play" and "relentlessly blitzing."

A great day for T'Vondre Sweat

Davenport pointed out Sweat, who he says was "standing out" during the one-on-one pass-rush drill. Sweat was also disruptive on back-to-back reps during the team period.

Wyatt also noted how Sweat shined: "I feel like I shouldn't go any further without mentioning rookie T'Vondre Sweat. The big defensive lineman was giving the o-linemen hell during the 1-on-1 pass rush period, and when the Titans moved to the team period, Sweat was in the face of Levis in a hurry, forcing him to throw the ball away. Sweat seems to be getting better every day."

“Everything I thought (Sweat) could be, he has been that and more,” Callahan said, according to AtoZ Sports Nashville.

Offense thrives in red zone work

Punt returners

Per Wyatt, cornerback Eric Garror and wide receivers Kyle Philips, Kearis Jackson and Mason Kinsey all got looks at punt returner. As we previously noted, Jackson exited practice early.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.