The Tennessee Titans revealed huge news just hours ahead of their preseason showdown in Atlanta. The team’s WR1 has never been questioned, but there are plenty of other receivers fighting for a spot on the roster.
Mercedes Benz Stadium is in for a treat as the Titans are sending out their best young receivers. With the team’s No. 1 overall pick starting in his second NFL game, he’ll have to do so without his security blanket from Week 1.
Cam Ward Left Without Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett in Second Preseason Game
Cam Ward threw the majority of his passes to Calvin Ridley in Week 1 of the preseason. It’s a game that the Titans lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 29-7. Ward looked solid in the two series he appeared in. Ridley made his presence known in a short amount of time, but Brian Callahan has seen enough.
Upon signing a four-year, $92 million deal to head to Tennessee, Ridley immediately became WR1. This is a Titans team that has Ward lining up with Ridley, Tyler Lockett, and Van Jefferson. Jefferson is the lone out of the trio that is expected to play in Atlanta.
Last week, Ward completed five of his eight passes. He started the game with every reception going Ridley’s way. Of the 67 yards he threw for, Ridley finished with 50 of those. The 2018 1st round pick had by far the most yards as the next closest was Gunnar Helm with 16. In total, Ridley had just two yards fewer than the next four receivers combined.
The Titans will keep some veteran starters on the bench tonight against the Falcons, including WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett.
Cam Ward will get some run with rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in the series or two he plays.
Also means depth receivers such as Xavier…
— Easton Freeze (@eastonfreeze) August 15, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
NFL reporter, Easton Freeze broke the news on social media, “The Titans will keep some veteran starters on the bench tonight against the Falcons, including WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett.
“Cam Ward will get some run with rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in the series or two he plays,” he added. “Also means depth receivers such as Xavier Restrepo will be higher in the rotation and should get more playing time.”
Cam Ward’s Options Without Ridley and Lockett
As Freeze mentioned, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike will be highlighted. The rookies were both selected in the 4th round of this years draft. If there was ever a time for Ward to back up his claim that the Titans have a Top 5 receiving group in the NFL, it’s now.
Two targets came Ayomanor’s way last week but he was unable to haul in either of them. Dike recorded his first catch, one that was good for six yards. Xavier Restrepo, who Freeze also brought up, was in a similar situation as Ayomanor.
The Titans latest QB move may give their receiving core an increased chance of making an impact. Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle struggled mightily last week. Tennessee acted promptly by waiving Boyle to sign Trevor Siemian.
Tyler Huntley played for the Cleveland Browns last week on a few days notice, so there should be no issue with Siemian playing in Atlanta. After Ward takes his series or two, Allen will take over as Siemian awaits his opportunity to steal the QB2 spot.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Titans Leave $92 Million WR on the Bench Ahead of No. 1 Pick’s Second NFL Start appeared first on Heavy Sports.