NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Cam Ward’s first NFL touchdown of any kind will have to wait for the regular season after the No. 1 overall pick helped the Tennessee Titans wrap up the preseason by beating the Minnesota Vikings 23-13 Friday night.
Ward finished his preseason 10 of 19 for 145 yards while playing into the second quarter of all three games. Against the Vikings, Ward didn’t complete his first pass. In his second series, he was 3 of 3 for 36 yards, driving the Titans 13 plays for 90 yards over 8:33.
Julius Chestnut capped the drive with a 1-yard run that put the Titans (2-1) up 7-3.
Minnesota (1-2) started rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy among the starters watching. Brosmer left after two series with the Vikings up 3-0 and returned in the final 30 seconds of the first half.
The quarterback who played his last college season at Minnesota in 2024 did nothing to hurt his chances at being the No. 3 behind McCarthy. Brosmer pulled the Vikings within 17-10 with a 21-yard TD pass to Bryson Nesbit in the third quarter and finished 15 of 23 for 161 yards.
Veteran Brandon Allen came in and put the Titans up 14-3 with Van Jefferson taking a catch 65 yards up the sideline for a touchdown. Jefferson, who dropped a deep pass from Ward against Atlanta last week, caught all three passes thrown his way for 102 yards in this game.
Late in the game, a neon green sex toy was tossed onto the field and quickly picked up by security.
Anything you can do
Minnesota kicker Will Reichard missed a 63-yard field goal just short of the crossbar as the half expired, and he later missed a 55-yarder wide left. Reichard sneaked a 58-yarder inside the left upright midway through the fourth to make it 20-13.
The Titans let kicker Joey Slye try a 63-yarder in the third quarter. The kicker now with his sixth NFL team made his. Slye’s career long is a 63-yarder last season with New England, and this kick would’ve been good from at least 70. He added two more field goals in the fourth.
Simmons asks and plays
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons made clear earlier this week he wanted to play, even though he couldn’t remember the last time he played in a preseason game.
The Titans sat plenty of their starters, including three offensive linemen, running back Tony Pollard and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. On defense, tackle T’Vondre Sweat missed his third preseason game recovering from a tonsillectomy.
Up next
The Vikings open the season on Monday, Sept. 8 at Chicago.
The Titans visit Denver in their opener on Sept. 7.
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