After two weeks of training camp, it's finally time for the Tennessee Titans to suit up for a real football game. That is, if you consider the preseason to be "real football."
It's certainly real for players currently on Tennessee's roster bubble. Veterans and rookies alike will have opportunities to show head coach Robert Saleh and his staff that they belong in the final 53. While a few position battles already seem to be over, multiple players are still fighting for their spots.
These six players need strong showings in the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers to prove their worth.
6 Titans players who can escape the roster bubble in preseason opener against 49ers
QB Will Levis
Will Levis is firmly behind Mitchell Trubisky in the Titans' QB2 battle. For him, the preseason represents an opportunity to raise his trade value. Plenty of other NFL teams are still searching for an upgrade at their backup quarterback spot.
With a controlled, consistent performance in San Francisco, Levis could convince another front office to take a chance on him.
WR Xavier Restrepo
The Titans are dealing with an unfamiliar and welcome problem at wide receiver. After a couple of offseason additions, they have too much depth at the position. If Saleh chooses to keep only six wideouts on the final roster, either Xavier Restrepo or Bryce Oliver is likely to miss out. Even if the Titans keep seven, Restrepo will have to fend off K.J. Osborn for the final spot.
Restrepo's longstanding connection with Cam Ward gives him an edge in the battle, but he'll need to play well in the preseason to solidify his spot. The former Miami star doesn't have the athleticism of a typical NFL receiver, so he'll have to make up for it with consistency.
WR K.J. Osborn
Osborn is working to revive his NFL career with the Titans, but he's another victim of the crowded receiver room. Behind Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson, Osborn has the third-most career receiving yards among Tennessee's receivers. He could bring experience to the Titans' backup pass-catchers — if he proves he still has what it takes.
DE Jaylen Harrell
Moving over to the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Jaylen Harrell is hoping to build on the mini-breakout he enjoyed in 2025. Logging 4.5 sacks, he established himself as an effective edge rusher for the Titans. But his skill set doesn't fit perfectly into Saleh's 4-3 scheme. The new head coach typically prefers bigger players on the edge, while Harrell weighs in at just 247 pounds.
Still, if Harrell can produce a few pressures in the preseason opener, he'll leave Saleh with no choice but to keep him around.
OT Austin Deculus
The Titans are still waiting for someone to emerge in the ongoing battle for the swing tackle role. Austin Deculus and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson are competing for the position, and neither has played well enough in training camp to justify naming a winner.
Deculus is coming off an ugly season with the Los Angeles Chargers, in which he allowed pressures on nearly 7% of his pass-blocking snaps. He'll need to show that he can hold up in pass protection to keep his spot on the roster.
CB Micah Robinson
Cornerback depth has been the biggest disappointment of training camp so far. As a response to the group's struggles, the Titans brought in Mario Goodrich and Nazeeh Johnson to compete for backup roles.
Micah Robinson only played on defense in two games last season, but he put together solid performances. He'll need to carry that momentum forward and showcase his impact on special teams to solidify his role in Saleh's defense.
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