Titans Rookie Carnell Tate Is Back, But His First Preseason Showing Has Fans Worried Before Facing Our Hawks

Titans first-round pick Carnell Tate, the dude who’s been MIA from practice the last few days thanks to some reported “stiffness,” was back out there Friday. And guess who he was practicing against? Our very own Seahawks, locked in a joint practice ahead of Sunday’s big preseason clash. This is a huge development for the Titans, and it absolutely shakes up what we’ll be seeing from our defense this weekend.

Tate’s Return and First Game Struggles Are a Vibe Check

But don’t get it twisted, 12s, just because he’s back doesn’t mean everything’s sunshine and rainbows for Tennessee. Tate’s status for Sunday’s preseason game against our Hawks is still up in the air, which makes you wonder. We’re talking about a first-round talent here, but in their first preseason matchup against the 49ers, Tate couldn’t reel in a single one of the three passes thrown his way by quarterback Cam Ward. Zero catches on three targets for a first-rounder? That’s gotta sting for Titans fans. Head Coach Robert Saleh even admitted Ward was “a little sped up” in that contest, and you gotta think that contributed to the rookie’s struggles.

Can Ward Calm Down Before Our Defense Gets After Him?

Ward’s numbers from that 49ers game weren’t exactly inspiring either, completing just 5 of 12 passes for a measly 57 yards. When your starting QB is struggling to connect, it puts pressure on everyone, especially a rookie wideout trying to find his footing. The Titans are clearly hoping for a “calmer outing” from Ward this time around, and with Tate potentially back in the mix, they’ll be looking to build some chemistry before the real games start. Our defense, though, needs to be ready for whatever version of Ward and Tate shows up. Whether Tate plays or not, our boys need to shut down that passing game, especially if Ward is still “sped up.”

So, keep your eyes peeled for Sunday’s preseason showdown between our Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans. We’ll be watching to see if Tate suits up, and more importantly, if Ward can shake off those early jitters and deliver a more composed performance. It’s a key early test for both teams, and our defense will be looking to make a statement, no matter who’s on the other side of the ball. Go Hawks!

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.