Folks, the actual football part of football news is officially back.

Prospect character analysis is behind us. the player acquisition cycle is behind us. The daily shelling from Page Six and TMZ is… sort of behind us. Football practice is back.

The Tennessee Titans held their first open practice of OTA’s for media on Thursday. It was our first glimpse of the veterans and rookies working on the field together with this new coaching staff. There were plenty of new sights and sounds to take in. Here are some big picture notes you’ll want to hear:

Seed oils are OUT

Get the seed oils out of your life, friends. We’re fighting inflammation.

Head coach Robert Saleh explained that his nutritional staff has made some dietary changes around the building. “One of the first things I think we did here is get rid of all the seed oils in the building which I think the players appreciate. I know they’ve — Miss Amy (Adams Strunk) has allowed us to attack the budget and get the players better variety. I’ll put our staff — and I mean that I’ve been in six different buildings and I’d put this (nutrition) staff up there with the best of them. The product they put out in the cafeteria daily is outstanding.”

Today’s practice can be summarized, in two words, with “seed oil”. This topic took the NFL internet by storm for a moment on Thursday. The gospel of avoiding the inflammatory effects of seed oils (vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, etc.) was the topic of discussion amongst those at today’s practice. Multiple players mentioned their appreciation for the new change. And on a person level, my wife texted multiple times to dunk on me for being dismissive of her attempt to cut seed oils out of our life the past six months. Thanks a lot, Robert.

Absent veterans create higher volume chances for several roster bubble players

Saleh said before practice that the team would be a little “light” Thursday at OTAs. The team has been on the field for most of the week, and the head coach said some players have solid reasons to not be on the field. With that, several younger or more roster bubble type players got extra reps higher in a rotation than normal. 

Notable players not on the field Thursday (in no particular order): DL Jeffery Simmons, DL John Franklin-Myers, CB Cor’Dale Flott, WR Calvin Ridley, LT Dan Moore Jr., DE Femi Oladejo, WR Elic Ayomanor, WR Chim Dike, DE Jermaine Johnson, K Joey Slye, DE Jordan Elliot, RB Nick Singleton. 

Players who caught my eye with this extra opportunity: 

• WRs Xavier Restrepo, KJ Osborn, Bryce Oliver, Tyren Montgomery and Lance McCutcheon
• QB: Hendon Hooker
• CBs: Joshua Williams, Micah Robinson, Keydrain Calligan
• DL/DE: Solomon Thomas, Truman Jones, Timmy Horne, Jackie Marshall

Thomas and Williams are the ones on this list that feel like they have a solid role on the active gameday roster. The others are fighting for jobs and spots on the team. 

Ward’s greatest benefit having Tate and Robinson on his team

Some have questioned just how much the Titans had to spend to get them, but nobody harbors doubt about how much Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson will help Cam Ward. They are both clear cut upgrades to his arsenal. And one of the biggest areas in which they’ll mutually benefit each other is minimizing drops.

Ward’s accuracy needs to improve from his first season. But he also suffered a higher rate of brutal drops by his targets than most quarterbacks have to deal with. A lot of yards were left on the field in 2025 by butterfingers.

Tate and Robinson are a duo designed to change that.

Tate had a 0% drop rate in 2025 on 51 receptions. And Robinson dropped 3 targets on 140 targets. Of all the things you can discount these two receivers for, sure-handedness isn’t one of them.

“I feel like that’s our job to go out there and catch the ball no matter what”, said Robinson in his press conference after practice. He emphasized finding ways for both sides of the connection to help make the other right. “Sometimes we might not be all the way open, and he makes a perfect throw”. It’s a two-way street.

When we asked Cam Ward what stands out about Carnell Tate, his answer was simple: Hands. He doesn’t drop the ball.

In other news…

• Running back Tyjae Spears looks healthy and explosive running and as a pass catcher. 2026 is a contract year and the Tulane product makes plays when healthy. 

• Carnell Tate more than ‘looks the part’ of a WR1. The fourth overall pick oozes WR1 energy and catches everything thrown to him. Great start for him. 

• Fellow first round pick Keldric Faulk was getting extra technique work with assistant defensive line coach Tanzel Smart in the warm up part of practice. Faulk’s usage will be one to watch. That drill was focusing on pass rush attack paths. 

• Cam Ward and Will Levis both have shoulders that look 100% healthy. Both QBs have live arms and are willing and able to push the ball all over the field. Hooker looks the part and looked confident using his athleticism today.