2 biggest Titans position battles all but settled heading into final week of camp

The Tennessee Titans entered training camp looking to settle the right side of their offensive line. When camp began, it was Saahdiq Charles and John Ojukwu that were receiving first-team reps at the respective right-sided positions. A lot has changed since then.

Charles unexpectedly announced his retirement approximately two weeks ago, taking his name out of the right guard mix. The position battle was revamped to include Dillon Radunz and Andrew Rupcich, with Radunz possessing the upper hand. Nicholas Petit-Frere returned to practice from offseason knee surgery at the beginning of August and immediately became the favorite to start at right tackle.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan consistently said the starters wouldn't play in Saturday's Week 2 preseason game versus the Seattle Seahawks. When the offense took the field for their first possession, Radunz and Petit-Frere were notably absent. Rupcich was the right guard, and Ojukwu the right tackle.

If Rupcich and Ojukwu hoped to make a last-ditch effort versus the Seahawks in their bid to claim starting gigs, they did a poor job. Rupcich was whistled for a false start and had a holding penalty declined. Ojukwu was penalized for two infractions, a false start and a hold.

Callahan admitted on Monday that the position battles are all but settled.

"What you see with our starting group, Dillon [Radunz] and Nick [Petit-Frere] are trending in the direction of being the starters," Callahan said during Sunday's press conference with local media. "It's not over yet, but those guys have performed well enough at that point. When we walk out with the starters [in the third preseason game] against New Orleans, those guys will be the starters this week. Again, I reserve the right to pull the plug on that one if I so choose, but those guys have played the best," Callahan concluded.

Callahan confirmed that the starting offense should play around three possessions versus the Saints in Sunday's preseason finale. That will presumably include starting quarterback Will Levis, and other starters such as Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, JC Latham, and Calvin Ridley. Radunz and Petit-Frere will be the starters at right guard and right tackle respectively.

Callahan reserved the right to change his mind, but it's difficult to envision that actually happening. Radunz and Petit-Frere have run with their opportunities, particularly after playing well with the starters against the San Francisco 49ers in the first preseason game.

The Titans offense will be in good standing if Radunz and Petit-Frere can deliver starting-caliber play.