3 Titans who stood out during first joint practice with Seahawks
By Justin Melo
The Tennessee Titans hosted the Seattle Seahawks for the first of two competitive joint practices on Wednesday morning. The Titans are slated to face the Seahawks in Saturday's second preseason game, but Wednesday's (and Thursday's pending) practice session was more helpful for roster evaluation purposes than their upcoming exhibition meeting will be. Head coach Brian Callahan has already claimed very few (or no) starters will play Saturday.
That placed even more emphasis on Wednesday's practice performance as Callahan continues to evaluate the position battles happening throughout his roster. Practice was extremely competitive with the Titans and Seahawks both recording individual and team-period victories.
We've identified three Titans players that especially stood out.
Treylon Burks, WR
Treylon Burks entered joint practices with the Seahawks as a top three receiving option because DeAndre Hopkins is sidelined with a knee injury. It qualifies as a big-time showcase for Burks. He made one of the more explosive passing plays during one-one-periods, beating Seahawks Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon to haul in this deep grab.
Burks later made a contested third-down grab during a full team period. The former first rounder had a good practice. He continues to establish himself as the clear No. 4 receiver behind Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd.
Amani Hooker, S
Tennessee's defense routinely got the better of Seattle's receivers. Starting safety Amani Hooker was one of the team's defensive backs that shined in individual periods. Hooker put the clamps on Seahawks tight end Noah Fant, coming away with this interception.
A big season is on the horizon for Hooker, who's one of few remaining defensive holdovers from the previous regime. The team recently added Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs at safety, but Hooker is expected to retain his starting spot. Coverage reps such as that one certainly helps.
Jha'Quan Jackson, WR
Titans rookie receiver Jha'Quan Jackson was the offense's big-time playmaker on Wednesday. Jackson scored not one, but two long touchdowns that featured run-after-catch yards. His second score was a 75-yard one on a slant ball from backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
The Titans drafted Jackson to make plays via manufactured opportunities, both as a receiver and special teams returner. In Saturday's preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers, he returned a punt for 26 yards. In the span of five days, Jackson has made big plays on offense and special teams.