With training camp officially underway, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan, general manager Ran Carthon, and assistant general manager Anthony Robinson spoke with the media on Tuesday afternoon. Coach Callahan offered injury updates on offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, punter Ryan Stonehouse, and wide receiver Colton Dowell.
The most notable injury update of all arrived when Callahan was asked about rookie defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. The No. 38 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was deemed "ready to roll" by Callahan, meaning he should participate in the Titans' debut practice on Wednesday.
Titans HC Brian Callahan on rookie DT T’Vondre Sweat:
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) July 23, 2024
Looks good, ready to roll pic.twitter.com/Bvyjl9IGFZ
"He looks good, he looks ready to roll," Callahan said here in this clip captured by Easton Freeze. "We don't expect any issues as we get started. He should be dressed, practicing, and ready to play football," Callahan concluded.
It's outstanding news for Callahan, Carthon, and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Sweat missed organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury that Callahan often said was of no concern, calling it a "short term" setback. That's now been proven accurate given that Sweat will be a full-go at practice later this week.
Sweat last practiced with the Titans during rookie minicamp from May 10-12. The Outland Trophy winner is attempting to win a starting job on Tennessee's defensive line next to two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons. Sweat's chances just received a significant boost. He'll still be playing catch up given his absence from the offseason workout program, but staying healthy throughout camp is imperative to his development.
Other defensive linemen on the Titans roster include Sebastian-Joseph Day, Keondre Coburn, Quinton Bohanna, Marlon Davidson, rookie undrafted free agent Isaiah Iton, and T.K. McLendon Jr. Joseph-Day is a veteran journeyman at this point, Coburn was Sweat's teammate at Texas and a 2023 sixth-round pick, and the others are low-level rotational players that may not even make the 53-man roster.
That's not exactly a murderer's row of competition following the departures of better players like Denico Autry and Teair Tart from last season. Sweat easily possesses the highest ceiling of any Titans defensive linemen not named Simmons. A healthy camp should give him every opportunity to immediately leave his thumbprint on Wilson's defense.
Sweat appeared in 62 games for the Longhorns across five successful seasons with the program. The Huntsville native recorded 128 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries.