4 Titans' Players With the Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1 vs. 49ers

Many Tennessee Titans have plenty to prove during Week 1 of the preseason against the San Francisco 49ers. None more than these four.

by Caleb Sisk

Aug 13, 2026

Many Tennessee Titans have plenty to prove during Week 1 of the preseason against the San Francisco 49ers. None more than these four.

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The Tennessee Titans are finally back in action on Thursday, as they are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers inside Levi's Stadium. While there are many key storylines entering the contest, one of the biggest is the players who have plenty to prove. Here are the four players that I believe have the most to prove during the first week of the preseason slate.

Cam Ward - Quarterback

Aug 3, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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While Cam Ward is a lock to be the starting quarterback for the Titans, he is also going to be one of the players who needs to prove the most. There is a level of concern that the team won't be able to adapt to the complex scheme run by Brian Daboll early on, so a massive performance by Ward would shut that down immediately.

Jermaine Johnson II - EDGE

Aug 4, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (11) cools off during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Jermaine Johnson II is going to be one of the players with the best opportunity to succeed on the defensive side of the football. Johnson II is battling for a career in the state of Tennessee, and he will need to showcase that he is worthy to join the Titans after the franchise had enough trust in him to give up their former second-round selection. That player is T'Vondre Sweat, who was a top defensive tackle in the 2025 season.

Calvin Ridley - Wide Receiver

Aug 1, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) makes a catch during training camp at Vanderbilt Health Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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The Titans player with the most to prove in game one is going to be Calvin Ridley, who will be making his return for the first time since he suffered a season-ending injury just a season ago. Ridley is going to have to compete for a starting job that he believed he had secured following the great training camp start that Elic Ayomanor has had. Ayomanor is a star, and so is Ridley, which makes this one of the things I am watching the closest.

Kevin Winston Jr. - Safety

Nov 16, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. (23) and cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) run onto the field before the game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Another defensive player that I am watching the closest is going to be Kevin Winston Jr. This is due to the fact that Winston Jr. is one of the players that the Titans have invested heavily in, but I will need to see the development from last season to this season. The best chance to showcase this is in the first contest of the preseason on Thursday.