Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-28 · by Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward threw an interception in the final seconds against the New York Giants, resulting in a 0-3 start for the team. Despite this, coach Robert Saleh remains committed to Ward, stating that he needs more opportunities to learn and improve under pressure. Ward, who was drafted first overall in 2025, has struggled with only two touchdown passes and ranks 21st among qualifying quarterbacks with an 80.9 passer rating. While the Titans' defense is performing relatively well, ranking 11th in yards allowed and ninth in points allowed, the offense continues to struggle, failing to gain more than 96 yards in any first half this season.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
And now questions are growing about whether Cam Ward is the quarterback the Titans believe he is.
asserted
he → grow → ?
Ward threw his first interception this season at the worst possible time.
asserted
Ward → throw → time
The Titans had first-and-goal at the New York Giants 7 with 24 seconds left, turning a possible signature comeback win by the quarterback into a 12-7 loss.
asserted
Titans → have → loss
Coach Robert Saleh dismissed the idea of sitting Ward to watch veteran Mitchell Trubisky after the latest loss.
asserted
Saleh → dismiss → loss
Saleh made clear Monday that Ward has to be exposed to more of these opportunities to produce when it matters most.
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it → make → opportunities
“This team’s going to learn how to win these football games,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → go → games
“We’re right there.
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We → ’re → ?
Unfortunately, it’s the NFL, we’re two plays from being 2-1, but we stand here 0-3.
asserted
we → ’ → ?
The No. 1 pick overall in the 2025 draft had to learn a new offensive with yet another coordinator in Brian Daboll going into his second season.
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pick → have → season
Ward ranks 25th among qualifying quarterbacks with 504 yards passing, is tied with Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams with two touchdown passes and ranks 21st with a 80.9 passer rating.
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Ward → rank → rating
That’s better than four qualifying quarterbacks, including Daniel Jones with the Colts and Bo Nix of Denver.
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That → ’ → Denver
Protection has improved with Ward sacked only five times through three games after 55 as a rookie.
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Ward → improve → rookie
“It’s unfortunate that one of his critical mistakes came on the last play of the game,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → ’ → game
What’s working
The defense.
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working → work → ?
The Titans rank 11th in the NFL, allowing 315.3 yards per game and ninth in points allowed with opponents averaging 19.7 points a game.
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opponents → rank → points
That’s with the Titans on the field more than any other defense with Tennessee last in time of possession.
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Tennessee → ’ → possession
What needs help
The offense.
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needs → need → help
The Titans have failed to gain more than 96 yards in any first half this season.
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Titans → fail → half
Worse, they’ve been held to 55 and 54 yards by halftime of two games.
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they → hold → games
Against the Giants, the 54 total yards for the first half was the franchise’s worst since managing 54 on Nov. 28, 2010, against Houston.
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yards → manage → Houston
Against the Giants, the Titans went three-and-out on their first five drives.
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Titans → go → drives
They managed only one first down for their fewest in a half since the first half of a Dec. 28, 2008, game against Indianapolis.
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They → manage → Indianapolis
Only Miami and New England are scoring fewer points (12) per game than Tennessee (12.3).
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Miami → score → Tennessee
Saleh called it an “abysmal” first half with the Titans and yes, needing Ward to throw better passes.
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Ward → call → passes
“Obviously dropped balls have kind of hindered us in the beginning of the games in all three of our games,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → drop → games
“I feel like we’re just, from an efficiency standpoint, not where we need to be.”
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we → feel → standpoint
The All-Pro defensive tackle had 10 tackles with two for losses and a sack and playing 63 of the 64 defensive snaps against the Giants.
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tackle → have → Giants
Simmons had seven tackles by halftime for a career best for any single half, and the seven also were the most by a defensive tackle in the league this season.
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seven → have → league
Asked if how Simmons ranks among the linemen he has coached, Saleh said the Titans tackle is just “nuts.”
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tackle → ask → linemen
“His stat numbers look like something out of Madden,” Saleh said.
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Saleh → look → Madden
The veteran who took a pay cut to stick around was targeted once in the latest loss without a catch.
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who → take → catch
Ridley has two catches for 35 yards through three games, and seven Titans have more receptions than the veteran.
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Titans → have → veteran
The Titans are running tests on right guard Fernando Carmona Jr.‘s ankle.
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Titans → run → ankle
Saleh said Carmona’s replacement Jackson Slater is being evaluated for a “pretty significant” foot injury, though Slater finished the game.
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Slater → say → game
Next steps
The Titans finish a two-game road swing by visiting Baltimore (2-1), then home to host Houston (0-3) before a trip to Indianapolis (1-2).
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asserted
Titans → finish → Indianapolis
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