Saleh embraces Titans’ preseason blunders as awesome for teaching tape after 19-16 win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans ' preseason mistakes have new coach Robert Saleh sounding almost giddy.

Fixing technique problems or communications issues are easier when a coach can point to the blown assignment on tape.

“Sometimes experiencing growth hurts,” Saleh said Monday. “There’s no team in the NFL (that's) going to go through the entire season high-fiving each other all the way through it. There’s going to be painful moments, but the good news is that it’s an opportunity for us to learn and we’ll get better from it.”

Saleh's Titans had plenty of painful moments in a 19-16 victory over Seattle that looked much better in the final score. Tennessee (2-0) sent Saleh home from his first game at Nissan Stadium with a win.

The Titans' starters opened against Seattle's backups, keeping schemes fairly basic, which is where the mistakes started piling up. The defense gave up not one but two long touchdowns, with nobody around Elijah Arroyo on a 36-yard pass on the opening drive. Then Jacardia Wright went untouched on his way to a 69-yard TD run.

Saleh said it was awesome to see the mistakes because of how clear it becomes to explain what needs to be done the next time.

“There’s nothing like seeing it in a live rep, and I’m glad it happened,” Saleh said. “Like I said, there’s sometimes you need a scar to feel the weight of communication, and that was one of those moments.”

All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said the problems on the TD run were simple misfits by a defense that otherwise handled Seattle's run game. Simmons said he wasn't concerned about the preseason finale Friday night against Chicago.

“It’s preseason,” Simmons said. “That’s the reason we play these types of games. We learn from it. Fix it. As long as we don’t come back and make the same mistakes.”

Then there is Cam Ward, who is working with his third different play-caller since being drafted No. 1 overall in April 2025. Ward is 13 of 24 for 125 yards with a 54.2 completion percentage. He hasn't thrown a touchdown pass or been intercepted. Ward did have a Seattle linebacker knock the ball from his hand as he scrambled.

Wide receiver Carnell Tate, the fourth overall pick in April's draft, has yet to make a catch this preseason on five targets. Saleh said they like what they see from Tate in practice.

NFL teams trim rosters to 53 on Sunday, and the Titans came into training camp with two jobs up for grabs. Veteran Austin Schlottman has taken the spot at center and rookie Fernando Carmona Jr. has started two games at right guard.

The defense will feature at least five new starters thanks to the Titans' big free agency spending spree in March.

“It’s the big week, and there’s lot of things that can move the needle,” Saleh said.

Saleh said wide receiver K.J. Osborn is expected to return to practice Tuesday. DL John Franklin-Myers was held out of the Seattle game but also could practice Tuesday. Rookie DE Keldric Faulk is day to day, and Saleh said Faulk should be fine for the opener.

CB Josh Williams, who has been wearing a yellow jersey in practice, will be reevaluated at the end of the week.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here