Robert Saleh stepped up to the press conference podium with many updates on Wednesday as the Tennessee Titans (0-3) start to turn the page from the loss to the New York Giants to the trip to Baltimore in Week 4.

The Titans placed two offensive lineman on injured reserve Tuesday in rookie starter Fernando Carmona and second year reserve Jackson Slater. Quarterback Cam Ward’s performance continues to be scrutinized through the first three weeks of his second season.

Ward’s footwork, pocket presence, and inability to connect down the field for explosive plays through three games were early question topics to Saleh. First, we start with the injury update.

Titans Injury Update: Carmona, Slater have surgeries

Saleh started with updates to Carmona (ankle) and Salter (foot) had surgeries soon after their injuries sustained against the Giants in MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Carmona got hurt on the Titans’ first offensive snap of the game. He was able to walk off the field, gingerly, before a cart took him from the sideline to the locker room. Slater, in relief of Carmona at right guard, played the rest of the game. It was a surprise to hear Saleh postgame say Slater had a “significant” foot injury in postgame due to him playing the full game.

Saleh said the team hopes both players are able to come back to play this season. With 14 games left in 15 weeks, including the bye week, it feels like a possibility. Surgeries tend to signal a more serious situation. A to Z Sports does have a feeling that the injury to Slater is expected to have a longer timeframe to return than Carmona. A to Z was aware of surgery potential with Slater, but the Carmona update was not expected, as a sprained ankle was first reported.

The head coach kept the Titans replacement plans close to the vest after being asked multiple times about different options.

Saleh also mentioned that running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears won’t practice Wednesday, nor will defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (back), but there’s no concern for any of the three missing Sunday in Baltimore.

Saleh sees Cam Ward’s footwork improvement

The footwork and overall mechanics for the second year QB have been a hot topic of the entire offseason that has now consumed the first month of the regular season. There have been many examples of mechanics breaking down mid play that have caused inaccurate throws. There have been plays of Ward bailing early on what are considered “clean pockets” as if he was feeling pressure.

Saleh addressed both Wednesday.

“You you see him comfortable in the pocket, you see him trusting the the offensive line, and then later in the game, you you kind of see him kind of revert back to some old habits. But I do think he’s getting better in that regard. I think he’s starting to really appreciate the offensive line because I think they are doing a really good job protecting him, and I think he’s building that trust,” Saleh said.

“You got to remember the young man was sacked (55) times last year, so I’m sure there’s some PTSD there. But but he’s getting better. He’s trusting it. His footwork is lasting him longer in the games, if that makes sense, but yeah, from an accuracy standpoint, decision making standpoint, everything starts with your feet at the quarterback position.”

I don’t think anyone can really disagree with the last part about the Titans offensive line being much improved from a year ago. Wednesday morning on A to Z Sports we discussed that exact possibility of Ward not trusting that his offensive line is doing a good enough job for him. They have been. Now they’ll have to prove that with a new right guard in the lineup.

Brian Daboll, Titans staff “working relentlessly”

ESPN’s Turron Davenport asked Saleh how the staff can hold Ward accountable for keeping his mechanics tight and now allowing them to slip late in the game. It’s a great way to ask that question, because it’s clear Ward can have good footwork, but it hasn’t become second nature yet.

That’s where Saleh mentioned the approach from Brian Daboll and the offensive staff.

“You watch a tape, you drill it, you get out in practice field,” Saleh said. “He knows what he needs to do. He can feel it happening too, and you’re trying to address it in game. But but like I said, he’s fully aware, and and he’s he’s showing that he’s getting better. Like if you watch the totality of all three games, his footwork, and his pocket presence and his awareness has gone longer and longer into the game, and and I think we’re going to eventually get to a point where he’s not doing thinking twice, and none of us are even talking about this anymore. But he does. He is working relentlessly. I know Dave Ball and his staff work relentlessly with him to make sure that he’s being shown where he can be better and where he’s been good.”