NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans conducted practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Thursday for the final time before the team suits up for this weekend's preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
But even over the last few days, the Titans' defensive rotation has started looking a whole lot different. With Garret Wallow out for the season with a torn pec and linebackers JoJo Domann and Cedric Gray sidelined , Tennessee has been shaking things up on their second unit.
One player who has seen an increased workload on defense this week is veteran Luke Gifford. The 28-year-old linebacker made the most of his chances on Thursday.
Gifford's Big Day
Gifford had his best practice of training camp thus far on Thursday, recording two interceptions while rotating between the first-team and second-team defense.
Gifford's first interception came during 11-on-11 live drives. QB Mason Rudolph tried to fit the ball in to Kyle Philips on a shallow crossing route. Gifford jumped the route and made a house call, returning the interception over 50 yards for a touchdown.
While it wasn't a touchdown or in team period, Gifford's second interception may have been even more impressive than the first. During 7-on-7, Gifford showed off his athleticism by making a leaping snag, plucking a pass from Will Levis out of the air.
"It's good to see Luke [Gifford]. Luke made an unbelievable play in seven-on-seven. I thought Will [Levis] put a good ball out there, and I didn't know Luke could jump that high," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan when asked about Gifford's big day after practice. "He kind of got off the ground pretty good to go get that ball, which was good to see."
Now, in any other circumstance I'd probably be okay chalking up Gifford's impressive practice as just that...a practice in training camp. But given the current situation at linebacker for the Titans, Gifford's performance is more that noteworthy.
Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Gibbens figure to be the Titans' starters at inside linebacker. Behind them, Tennessee is starting to run out of bodies quickly. Wallow is out for the year. Domann is hurt. Cedric Gray is hurt and has not been getting a ton of opportunity when healthy. Otis Reese IV has been shocking uninvolved for Tennessee in camp.
Chance Campbell has had a good camp and in my opinion, is a likely candidate to make the team. And then there's Gifford, who is now sliding up the depth chart and capitalizing. Gifford's defensive flashes combined with his value on specials teams could land him a roster spot.
Other Notes
- Gabe Jeudy-Lally also had an interception on Thursday. He got Malik Willis during team period and nearly returned it for a score.
- Head coach Brian Callahan singled out rookie OLB Jaylen Harrell as someone who has been "fantastic" in camp. I expect Harrell to make the team.
- CB Caleb Farley will be out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, per Callahan after practice.
- OT Leroy Watson has a "small knee issue" and will be out for the preseason opener this weekend. Watson is otherwise considered week-to-week.
- LB Cedric Gray left practice early on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday with a shoulder issue. Callahan says Gray is questionable for the preseason opener.
- LB JoJo Domann left practice early on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday with a back injury. He is questionable for the game on Saturday.
- WR Mason Kinsey continued his strong training camp efforts with another nice touchdown during team period on Thursday. Kinsey connected with Mason Rudolph in the back corner of the end zone. That combination has been money over the last few weeks.
- DT Jeffery Simmons and OLB Harold Landry III are not expected to play in Saturday's preseason opener. All of the other available starters will play "a few series" depending on how things go.
Related: Titans offensive linemen react to Saahdiq Charles retirement and the open starting job
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