The Tennessee Titans’ tuneup for their preseason meeting with the San Francisco 49ers was anything but routine. During a joint practice out west this week, tensions boiled over, two players were tossed and quarterbacks struggled to consistently move the offense, according to multiple reports.
Discipline and depth take the spotlight
Practice incidents centered on the offensive line when Austin Deculus and Dan Moore were ejected after altercations that turned physical. Ejections in training settings are relatively rare and underscore the heightened emotions as teams finalize rosters ahead of the regular season.
Those expulsions matter beyond the moment. The Titans’ offensive line depth and cohesion are vital to protecting the quarterback group and sustaining drives — both areas that already appeared shaky during the session.
Quarterbacks struggle to find a rhythm
Reported play-by-play from the workout showed several costly mistakes from the quarterback room. Will Levis threw an interception that was picked off by Jakob Robinson, while Cam Ward surrendered a pick-six to Upton Stout after missing an open Carnell Tate downfield. Mitch Trubisky was also pressured heavily, at one point being overwhelmed as the 49ers’ pass rush closed in.
“No one stopped the pass rush.”
The assessment reflected frustration with the offense’s inability to slow San Francisco’s defenders during the session. While practice turnovers and coverage breakdowns don’t always translate to regular-season outcomes, the volume of miscues raised alarms about timing, protection and decision-making in a unit still searching for consistency.
What happened: key moments
- Two offensive linemen, Austin Deculus and Dan Moore, were ejected after separate altercations.
- Will Levis was intercepted by Jakob Robinson.
- Cam Ward threw a pass returned for a touchdown by Upton Stout after failing to connect with Carnell Tate.
- Mitch Trubisky faced heavy pressure and was swarmed by the 49ers’ defense on at least one notable play.
Coaches commonly remind players that joint practices are live environments where competitiveness ramps up, but repeated breakdowns in a single session focus attention on solutions rather than excuses.
| Player | Event |
|---|---|
| Austin Deculus | Ejected |
| Dan Moore | Ejected |
| Will Levis | Intercepted (Jakob Robinson) |
| Cam Ward | Thrown pick-six (Upton Stout); missed Carnell Tate |
| Mitch Trubisky | Heavily pressured / swarmed |
Context and next steps
Joint practices are designed to sharpen fundamentals and simulate game speed against an unfamiliar opponent. But when one side dominates the trenches or when communication collapses, those sessions expose problems that must be corrected quickly, especially with a preseason game looming.
For the Titans, the immediate tasks are clear: shore up offensive-line communication and technique, improve pass protection, and reduce costly turnovers that kill momentum. The coaching staff will also have to manage temperament and discipline after the ejections, ensuring competitive fire doesn’t spill over into actions that could jeopardize player availability.
Coaches often downplay practice results, reminding fans that mistakes are part of preparation. Still, the combination of physical altercations and multiple offensive miscues leaves little room for complacency. Players and staff have just days to address execution before the teams meet on the field.
Fans should expect closer attention to the offensive line rotations and how the quarterbacks respond to pressure in the preseason opener. If issues persist, the preseason will become less about evaluation and more about urgent troubleshooting.
Reporting from the practice indicates the Titans have tangible areas to fix. Whether they do so in time to present a cohesive front against the 49ers remains to be seen.
— Brandon McAllister, State Correspondent
