Preseason games aren’t everything, but they matter. Especially if you’re one of the Tennessee Titans on the fringes of the roster trying your darnedest to make it on to the 53-man squad out of training camp.
Plenty of players helped their cases in small ways in Saturday’s 17-13 preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers at Nissan Stadium, but only a few made strong enough cases to justify bumping them from those fringes into the safe zone, or to earn elevations from the cut zone back on to the bubble.
Here are four players who improved their standing on the Tennessee Titans’ roster in Saturday’s win.
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ILB Chance Campbell
Let’s get the no-brainer out of the way. Campbell absolutely capitalized on extra playing time earned because of injuries in the inside linebacker room. He led the Titans with eight tackles, twice as many as anyone else, and added a sack and an interception. Not much to say beyond: Yep, Campbell feels like the clubhouse leader to be the Titans’ No. 3 inside linebacker. The dude made plays. Kudos.
WR Jha’Quan Jackson
It’s tempting to make this a joint placement for Jha’Quan Jackson and Kearis Jackson. But Kearis Jackson’s role as an impressive kick returner feels a little more dubious given how the Titans have practiced roster locks like Tyjae Spears and Treylon Burks at kick returner throughout the offseason.
Punt returner, though, is a job exclusively being auditioned for by fringe roster guys in camp. Jha’Quan Jackson not only earning the nod Saturday but proving capable at it jettisons him above Kearis Jackson, Mason Kinsey, Kyle Philips and Eric Garror in competition for the 53rd spot.
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OT Geron Christian Sr.
Christian hasn’t always felt like the safest pick to earn the Titans’ swing tackle job throughout training camp. But he stood in as the No. 2 left tackle Saturday and contributed to keeping backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis upright.
Leroy Watson IV’s injury, combined with John Ojukwu’s tumble down the depth chart, makes it feel now more than ever like Christian can make the opening-day squad as the No. 3 or No. 4 tackle. This is doubly true if Dillon Radunz remains the starting right guard, leaving the Titans with one fewer backup who has NFL tackle experience.
TE Thomas Odukoya
Odukoya started Saturday. This isn’t a question of “Oh, will the Titans have a role for him?” anymore. After two years on the practice squad, he is carving a role for himself as a violent, reliable blocker who can make plays in the pass game if called upon.
Sure, Nick Vannett will handle that role more often than not when healthy. But the Titans had the option to start Josh Whyle or Chig Okonkwo in the Vannett role Saturday, and they didn’t. At the very least, Odukoya proved he has the coaching staff’s trust.
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Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
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Publish date : 2024-08-10 23:02:00
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