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    Ward generates 140 yards on 32 passes in ugly loss

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    TEN Quarterback #1
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    Cam Ward completed 19-of-32 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Titans’ 23-10, Week 1 loss to the Jets, adding four rushes for 21 yards.

    Ward also took three sacks for 13 yards. His touchdown was a too little, too late 11-yard strike to Elic Ayomanor with the Titans trailing 23-3 at the 2:42 mark of the fourth quarter. As was the case down the stretch last season, Ward did a good job of avoiding turnovers, but he struggled to generate positive plays of any kind. He was besieged by pressure, but he just wasn’t making anything happen. That could come in time — there’s a new experienced play-caller in Brian Daboll and several new weapons in the skill corps — but this was a highly discouraging start to the year at home vs. a not-exactly-amazing Jets defense. It was certainly confirmation that Ward is on the outside looking in of top-24 status in superflex leagues for the time being. The Eagles are a rough Week 2 matchup, even if the Titans are at home.
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  • TEN Quarterback #1
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    Ward’s head, per Saleh, is in a “good place” ahead of the Titans’ Week 6 game against the Colts. Ward has been dreadful through five weeks, ranking 24th in EPA per drop back and 27th in drop back success rate. Only five quarterbacks have a lower adjusted yards per attempt than Ward this season. Daniel Jones and Tyson Bagent are the only QBs who average fewer fantasy points per drop back. Saleh has defended his second-year QB at every turn and does not seem close to benching him in favor of journeyman backup Mitchell Trubisky.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    The Titans led off the day with a 58-yard field-goal drive that fell apart from a red zone first-and-5. They would not even flirt with crossing 30 yards in a drive for the rest of the game and crossed into Texans territory on only 11 more snaps all game, including just one inside the Houston 40. Ward took four sacks and avoided several others by turning Tyjae Spears into a PPR hero. The closest he came to actually putting points on the board was a double-covered bomb to Carnell Tate’s general area. It was, well, what you would have expected from both sides in the preseason. Ward remains a last gasp supeflex QB2 heading into Week 6’s game against the Colts.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Ward’s second pass of the game resulted in an interception, but he would settle in to put together his most productive outing of the season. Ward linked up with rookie first-rounder Carnell Tate on multiple long gains and ended the day with four completions of 20-plus yards. The two would connect on a 33-yard pass late in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-10, and on the next play, Ward would find Wan’Dale Robinson for a three-yard score to cut the Ravens’ lead to 24-18. Ward did a good job at evading pressure in this one. Despite being pressured on 11 dropbacks, per PFF, only one of those resulted in a sack. Ward has been sacked just once over the last two weeks, but will have a tough challenge ahead of him next week when the Titans play host to the Texans. Ward projects as a low-end QB2 next week.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Asked about Ward’s continuing footwork disaster, Saleh said the second-year quarterback “usually starts off good then fades into old habits.” Titans beat writer Terry McCormick then asked Saleh “why if his footwork gets worse as the game goes on, why the offense has had such slow starts. [Saleh] said it has been dropped passes vs. Giants and defense not getting off field vs. Eagles.” Saleh has made a point to shield Ward from all criticism throughout the preseason and through three horrific regular season outings. Ward ranks 20th in accuracy and 29th in EPA per drop back this season. He’s fresh off throwing a game-deciding end zone interception against the lowly Giants in Week 3. Mitchell Trubisky will probably get a couple starts this season if Ward can’t turn things around.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Ward’s gotten off to a slow start in 2026, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for a meager 504 yards and two touchdowns in three games. He has improved his sack rate quite a bit, cutting it from 9.2 percent in 2025 to 5.38 percent so far this year. The Titans backup is Mitch Trubisky. It is probably too soon to give up on Ward, but it doesn’t bode well for his future that Saleh is already being asked the question. Ward will be one of the bottom five quarterbacks in the Week 4 fantasy rankings against the Ravens.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    The Titans’ offense looked dead on arrival with 34 yards on their six first-half drives. They opened the game with four consecutive three-and-outs and didn’t get on the board until late in the fourth quarter, when Ward tossed a short touchdown to Wan’Dale Robinson. It looked like Ward was getting in rhythm late in the game, but he ended the contest with a ghastly interception directly into the hands of Jevon Holland, who was standing in the end zone waiting for the ball. Ward took care of the ball until the game-ending throw, but this was a one step forward, two steps back showing from the young passer. That has unfortunately been the case for the better part of the last three weeks. Ward is not on the fantasy radar for Week 4 against the Ravens, and his poor play is making all of the team’s fantasy options largely irrelevant.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Ward’s two scores on the ground doubled his previous career total, though he is now sitting on one passing touchdown through eight quarters. He is at least not turning the ball over, and has taken “just” five sacks. He has been so far unable to heat up his connections with offseason additions Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, but he found Elic Ayomanor for two critical gains vs. Philly. Cutting out the negative plays was an absolutely essential first step for Ward, but he has yet to supplement them with big gains or consistent chain-moving. That included botching a Hail Mary in the fourth quarter this afternoon. Ward won’t be much of a superflex option for next week’s road date with the Giants.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Cam Ward’s preseason has been as bad or even worse than his rookie campaign. Ward in last week’s preseason game against Seattle completed eight of his 12 attempts for 69 yards. His average depth of target on completed passes this preseason sits at a meager 1.2. Carnell Tate, meanwhile, has been targeted five times on his 23 preseason routes and does not have a reception to show for it. Daboll has been somewhat defensive this month when asked about Ward’s immense struggles after working on basic fundamentals with the second-year QB in the offseason. Ward, one of the most inaccurate passers in recent NFL history, is unlikely to support more than one fantasy-viable pass catcher in 2026.
  • TEN Quarterback #1
    Ward would have cleared 100 yards in the box score had TE Gunnar Helm not stepped out of bounds while hauling in a downfield pass during a scramble drill. Ward’s ability to make ridiculous throws off-script remains a plus and a minus. It wasn’t a great game for his connection with rookie Carnell Tate. The duo went 0-of-2 out of five total pass attempts from Ward on the first drive this evening against Seattle.
  • TEN Wide Receiver #4
    Davenport penned a lengthy piece detailing how OC Brian Daboll is focused on developing QB Cam Ward’s play on third down, in the red zone and in the two-minute drill. This is pretty straightforward. Those are all high-leverage situations, so harping on Ward’s performance there makes sense. Robinson played on all three drives in the Titans’ first preseason game while veteran Calvin Ridley was on the field for one. Rookie WR Carnell Tate was on the field for the first and third drives. A featured role on third downs could help Robinson return FLEX value — he’s certainly being paid like he is going to be featured.

Rotoworld

  • LAC Front Office
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports the Chargers have rejected trade calls and aren’t planning a fire sale.

    According to Pelissero, teams have called Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, but he’s not interested in potential trade offers despite Los Angeles’ 0-5 record. The Chargers have one game left before their bye week and if they lose to the 4-0 Chiefs, falling to 0-6, this could all change. For now, the Chargers GM doesn’t want to deal, but trade calls on veteran players aren’t going to stop without a massive turnaround. Pelissero mentions Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree, Daiyan Henley, Donte Jackson, Denzel Perryman, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Tuli Tuipulotu as potential trade candidates in the final year of their contracts with the Chargers. He adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if teams that need running back or receiver help call about Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, and Quentin Johnston.
  • GB Defensive End #1
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports Packers EDGE Micah Parsons (knee) still isn’t practicing.

    The Packers play the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football on NBC and Peacock in Week 6, but Parsons still isn’t practicing. According to Pelissero, it’s unlikely the 27-year-old defensive end plays before Green Bay’s matchup with the Patriots in Week 9 at the earliest. The Packers’ defense has certainly struggled without Parsons, but they have enough offensive firepower to win shootouts, which only adds to the fantasy floor for Jordan Love and Green Bay’s skill players.
  • IND Wide Receiver #14
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports Colts WR Alec Pierce (heel) is still a few weeks away from a return to game action.

    No surprise here. Pierce shed his cast earlier this week, but there was also a report from the Athletic’s James Boyd that he “didn’t get the sense” Pierce was close to a return. Pelissero reports that Pierce isn’t expected to return to practice next week when he’s eligible. It’s difficult to justify holding Pierce in leagues without IR spots given the circumstances.
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports there’s “optimism” Baker Mayfield (thumb) will return in Week 7 against the Panthers.

    Mayfield didn’t practice this week, but according to Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles he threw on Monday and was pushing to play before his “thumb swelled up on him.” It seems like Mayfield is trending in the right direction and that he could return against the Panthers in Week 7 if the swelling is no longer an issue. Jalon Daniels is starting for Tampa Bay again in Week 6 against the Steelers.
  • PHI Quarterback #1
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Eagles aren’t planning to place QB Jalen Hurts (blood clot) on injured reserve.

    While Hurts still has no timetable to return, the Eagles haven’t even discussed the possibility of placing him on injured reserve, according to Schefter. That could change as there’s still a possibility Hurts could wind up on injured reserve if that’s where the medical information leads them. Most blood clots are treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners), which would sideline Hurts for a minimum of six weeks, according to Schefter’s sources. The best-case scenario, according to Schefter, seems to be if the blood clot is minor enough that doctors could begin treatment with anti-inflammatories. Two team doctors that Schefter polled also speculated that the 28-year-old quarterback could miss six weeks. Tanner McKee is in line to start at least a few games while Hurts is out.
  • NE Wide Receiver #1
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    ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots will likely activate WR A.J. Brown (ankle) to play against the Jets in Week 6.

    Brown returned to practice this week after going on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. While nothing is official yet, it’s a great sign that Rapoport is anticipating a return for the 29-year-old wide receiver in Week 6 against the Jets. Brown may not play a full complement of snaps in his first game back, but is still essentially a must-start for fantasy managers.
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    Titans CEO Burke Nihill said the organization fully believes in coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi.

    The Titans are 0-5 and have won only three games since Borgonzi joined the team prior to the 2025 season. Despite this, Nihill told ESPN’s Turron Davenport that he feels a “sense of stability” in the organization. Davenport, in turn, notes that the Titans “have fired a coach or general manager every year since 2022.” Nihill apologized to Titans fans, saying ownership and team executives feel “a sense of grief” about the endless losses, and “feel the sense of responsibility to deliver” for fans moving forward. We wish them luck.
  • CHI Quarterback #18
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    Caleb Williams (hamstring) posted a video to social media indicating he will play in Week 6 against the Falcons.

    Normally, social media posts don’t count for much. However, earlier today, Bears coach Ben Johnson said that the Bears should have more clarity on Williams’ status by the end of the day, after the medical team put Williams through “the final stress tests” in his return-to-play program. We are inferring that Williams’ social media post suggests he passed the final medical testing, though we have not officially received word that this is indeed the case. For now, we tentatively expect Williams to play on Sunday. He can be treated as a mid-to-low QB1.
  • GB Running Back #8
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the NFL “could step back in and create a longer suspension” for Josh Jacobs if the video showing his altercation with a woman is released.

    Fowler is surprisingly saying the quiet part out loud here, though this has been the general consensus for fans and analysts for a while. Jacobs is scheduled to come off the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt list on Monday. The NFL is reportedly trying to get hold of the video, and Jacobs has sued to block its release. Fowler adds that the woman’s attorney said her client has not participated in the league’s investigation due to privacy concerns. If the video stays under wraps, Jacobs could be allowed to continue playing in the NFL.
  • PHI Quarterback #1
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Eagles will decide whether to place Jalen Hurts (blood clot) on short-term injured reserve on Saturday.

    Fowler reportedly spoke to “some people who are hopeful” that Hurts can avoid injured reserve. He described the situation as being “very much touch and go” and said Tanner McKee will “probably” start multiple games. The Eagles go on bye in Week 10, so if Hurts does land on injured reserve, the Eagles’ Week 11 game against the Steelers would be his earliest possible return.