Nate Davis gets first team snaps at right guard and other updates from Day 4 of Titans training camp

Day 4 of the Titans 2019 training camp was a closed practice which means we only get limited information from the media, but there were a few interesting nuggets. The most noteworthy of which would be third round rookie Nate Davis getting some reps with the first team offense.

I wouldn’t get too carried away with this news just yet — the team moving a guy up in the rotation can be a reward for a good day of work or simply a chance to see him against better competition — but it’s certainly a good sign in the development of the rookie. The Titans have been rotating through several options here in the first few days of camp with Kevin Pamphile, Jamil Douglas, Aaron Stinnie, and now Davis all seeing first team reps. It appears this battle is wide open right now.

Injury Roundup

There was very little news in the way of injuries coming out of this practice, but most of the news we did get was good. Veterans who had planned maintenance days yesterday were back in action today, including Rodger Saffold, Delanie Walker, and Wesley Woodyard. Dennis Kelly also returned after leaving with a “dehydration issue” on Sunday.

The only negative injury news was receiver Cameron Batson leaving with a shoulder injury.

Here is the latest on each of the guys that are currently dealing with some sort of injury issue:

• A.J. Brown: Brown missed a third straight day with a leg injury suffered during the first practice of camp, but all reports seem to suggest this is a minor issue and that Brown will be back soon.
• Derrick Henry: Same story for Henry. Ian Rapoport — who was in town visiting Titans camp yesterday — reported that Henry’s injury is “not a big deal” and added that the team “isn’t worried about it”.
• Jeffery Simmons: Simmons continues to do conditioning work only as he remains on the PUP list.
• Jonnu Smith: Smith continues to do conditioning work only we he remains on the PUP list.
• Jurrell Casey: Casey continues to do conditioning work only we he remains on the PUP list.
• Ryan Succop: No signs of Succop at practice today. He remains on the PUP list.
• Amani Bledsoe: The undrafted rookie defensive lineman left practice early on Saturday with a trainer. He did not practice again today.

The Titans injury list isn’t too terrible right now. Based on what we know about these issues, only Simmons (obviously) and Smith (maybe) seem to have a chance of missing actual regular season action due to the injuries they are currently battling.

A.J. Brown is the guy that I would be most anxious to get back at the moment. He’s missing valuable reps in a new offense and we all know how tough the transition to the NFL is for rookie wide receivers.

Big Takeaways

For the third straight day, Corey Davis had the highlight of the day according to some reports.

Davis making highlight reel grabs has become a staple of Titans training camp at this point and it sure does feel like a breakout season is coming (if you don’t agree with me that he actually broke out last year).

Vrabel gave out a compliment to running back Jeremy McNichols, saying the Titans are “excited” by what they’ve seen from the former Boise State star.

McNichols has pretty clearly been the third running back in the pecking order behind Dion Lewis and David Fluellen with Derrick Henry out. I have a suspicion that the Titans are going to keep four running backs on this roster with Fluellen seemingly set to play a bit of a hybrid fullback/H-back role in addition to his special teams duties. McNichols is currently the most likely candidate for that fourth spot, though I am still holding out hope for an Alex Barnes push as we get deeper into camp.

Nate Davis wasn’t the only Titans rookie getting work with the first team though. Fourth round pick Amani Hooker saw some first team action on defense as a part of some three safety sets for Dean Pees’ group.

I’ll have a post coming later today that goes into some of the unique looks the Titans could use thanks to their collection of versatile defenders, and three safety looks are one of the topics that I will touch on.

The Titans will be off on Tuesday, but will return with an open practice on Wednesday. I’ll be there at that one and look forward to bringing a detailed report back here Wednesday afternoon.