Cam Ward's first NFL touchdown will
have to wait as Titans beat Vikings 23-13 to wrap preseason
[August 23, 2025]
By TERESA M. WALKER
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.
Titans coach Brian Callahan said he wanted to limit the hits the
rookie quarterback took this preseason. Ward is ready to show what
he can do once the games count.
“I just think I really got to show that gunslinger,” Ward said. “And
it’s with, you know, playing a full game. There’s also just coach
Callahan having the trust in me like he does. So I’m going to put a
lot on tape this year.”
Julius Chestnut capped the drive led by Ward with a 1-yard run that
put the Titans (2-1) up 7-3.
"It was good for us to get that one last dry run before we got to go
for real here in Denver in two weeks, so we got what we were hoping
to get out of it,” Callahan said of the long drive.
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.
“Max once again showed some of the things he's shown throughout
camp,” Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said. “Good decision-maker,
made some plays, buying a little time with his legs, converting some
third downs via some tight completions.”
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.
[to top of second column] |
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrates with guard
Blake Hance (73) after a touchdown by running back Julius Chestnut
(36) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against
the Minnesota Vikings, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Late in the game, a neon green sex toy was tossed
onto the field and quickly picked up by security. The Titans said
they notified police.
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. The franchise record is 60
yards by Rob Bironas in 2006.
Slye added two more field goals in the fourth, including a 53-yarder
that hit off the right upright, then crossbar before falling over.
“That’s real range right there," Callahan said of the 63-yarder by
Slye. "I mean, that was an impressive kick. I think it hit the net
too. So he had some room to spare on it. That’s a weapon.”
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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