The Tennessee Titans prevailed over the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 17-13 during their preseason opener, signifying a promising start for new head coach Brian Callahan. In a game marked by notable special teams contributions, Titans' rookie Kearis Jackson kicked off the momentum with a 63-yard return under the NFL’s new kickoff rule, as reported by NewsChannel5. This set the stage for Titans' quarterback Will Levis, who led two successful touchdown drives in his initial series, completing four out of five passes and culminating the first drive with a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
The Titans' special teams continued to shine with a 26-yard punt return by sixth-round pick Jha'Quan Jackson, paving the way for the team's second touchdown. According to WREG, another aspect of interest in the game was implementing Callahan’s system, which Levis had practiced during the offseason. The Titans showcased a departure from their historical run-based tactics, favoring a more pass-oriented approach as Levis connected with new receiver Calvin Ridley, setting up a touchdown drive finished by Tyjae Spears.
Despite the stellar offensive start, the Titans' defense fielded a lineup missing several key players, such as Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry, who were absent, and L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs, who were not participating for various reasons. The fragmented first-team defense allowed the 49ers an initial 74-yard drive, resulting in a four-yard touchdown from Jordan Mason. The 49ers also chose to rest key starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy, noted by ESPN.
In the game's concluding moments, Titans' backup linebacker Chance Campbell intercepted a desperate pass by former Titan and Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs, sealing the win for Tennessee. "It’s awesome being healthy", Campbell told ESPN after a performance where he snagged an interception and added a sack. On the other side, 49ers corner Ambry Thomas sustained a broken forearm during the match, a significant setback that will keep him out of play for an extended duration, as head coach Kyle Shanahan stated following the game.
The Titans look forward to hosting the Seahawks for joint practices before their next preseason game. The 49ers, meanwhile, prepare for joint practices with the New Orleans Saints ahead of their Sunday matchup, setting the stage for a week of fine-tuning and adjustments as the preseason continues.
