4 Titans' Players With the Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1 vs. 49ers

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4 Titans' Players With the Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1 vs. 49ers

Caleb Sisk

Thu, Aug 13, 2026 ·

3 min read

Cam Ward - Quarterback

Aug 3, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While Cam Ward is a lock to be the starting quarterback for the Titans, he is also going to be one of the players who needs to prove the most. There is a level of concern that the team won't be able to adapt to the complex scheme run by Brian Daboll early on, so a massive performance by Ward would shut that down immediately.

Jermaine Johnson II - EDGE

Aug 4, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (11) cools off during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jermaine Johnson II is going to be one of the players with the best opportunity to succeed on the defensive side of the football. Johnson II is battling for a career in the state of Tennessee , and he will need to showcase that he is worthy to join the Titans after the franchise had enough trust in him to give up their former second-round selection. That player is T'Vondre Sweat, who was a top defensive tackle in the 2025 season.

Calvin Ridley - Wide Receiver

Aug 1, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) makes a catch during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Titans player with the most to prove in game one is going to be Calvin Ridley, who will be making his return for the first time since he suffered a season-ending injury just a season ago. Ridley is going to have to compete for a starting job that he believed he had secured following the great training camp start that Elic Ayomanor has had. Ayomanor is a star, and so is Ridley, which makes this one of the things I am watching the closest.

Kevin Winston Jr. - Safety

Nov 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. (23) and cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) run onto the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another defensive player that I am watching the closest is going to be Kevin Winston Jr. This is due to the fact that Winston Jr. is one of the players that the Titans have invested heavily in, but I will need to see the development from last season to this season. The best chance to showcase this is in the first contest of the preseason on Thursday.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.