Bears-Titans notes: Chicago native Carnell Tate torches former favorite team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans receiver Carnell Tate grew up loving the Bears.

“Jay Cutler — we love Jay Cutler out there,” the Titans receiver said Thursday. “Matt Forte, B-Marsh.”

His love for Cutler, Forte and wide receiver Brandon Marshall came from his father.

“My dad was Chicago Bears fan,” he said. “Still is, except when we play them.”

Tate grew up in Garfield Park.He enrolled at Marist, where he was promoted from the freshman team to the varsity after just four games. In 2021, he transferred to IMG Academy. A year later, he committed to Ohio State. In April, the Titans took him No. 4 overall — the highest pick they’ve ever used for a wideout.

On Thursday, he dominated a depleted Bears defensive backfield. He caught seven passes, two for touchdowns, in the joint practice.

“He was open, honestly, giving me a step on the defender,” quarterback Cam Ward said. “Then me and him also continue to grow together, with me putting the ball in the radius where he can make a play on it. And him also making a play on it when I’m not as accurate. . . .

“He showed why he was that pick.”

D-line depth down

Bears defensive end Austin Booker is working through a groin injury and is “week-to-week,” coach Ben Johnson said, putting his status for Week 1 in question.

The Bears signed Marcus Davenport to give them added defensive line depth, but he still isn’t practicing, either. Davenport, who was added Aug. 17, isn’t dealing with any specific injury, Johnson said, but is ramping up.

“He’s a player that’s missed a lot of time over the last three years,” Johnson said, “and so he’s being integrated into the program.”

Will they play?

Both Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams were non-committal about whether the quarterback — or other starters — would play in Saturday’s exhibition finale.

“I don’t know if I’m playing,” Williams said, “so whatever coach says.”

The Bears, he said, would weigh the quality and quantity of the joint practice reps in making a decision. Starters played a lot — in high temperatures — Thursday.

The Titans will play their starters, though coach Robert Saleh said joint practices were far more like regular-season games than any of the preseason games were.

Notes

The flashiest moment of practice was when Williams handed the ball to D’Andre Swift, who threw a lateral back to Williams on the left flank.

“That was a pretty good toss, too,” Williams said.

Williams when launched a pass up the left sideline to receiver Rome Odunze.

• Right tackle Darnell Wright practiced in full two days after he aggravated the right elbow injury that forced him to wear a brace for most of the season.

• Former Bills coach Sean McDermott visited practice, as did former Titans cornerback Pacman Jones.