Titans rookie QB Ward leads TD drive in debut

TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward made his preseason debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night, and the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft showed promise in his first live game action.

“I think the biggest thing was just us being able to play in a real game atmosphere together,” Ward said after the Titans’ 29-7 loss. “Getting a vibe of each other. Then playing together like we did.”

Ward completed 5 of 8 passes for 67 yards during two drives. The Titans went three-and-out on his first possession, but he followed that with an 11-play, 65-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Tony Pollard.

Titans receiver Calvin Ridley caught three passes for 50 yards on the touchdown drive. Ridley was called for pass interference, leaving the Titans with a first-and-20, but the offense bounced back as Ward passed to Ridley for 10 and 13 yards on the next two plays.

“I thought Cam played well in his two series,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “He did what we would hope he would do in his first action, and he’s going to get more of it to come.”

Ward’s first completion was to Ridley in the middle of the field for 27 yards. The offensive line gave Ward plenty of time to wait for Ridley to get open.

Ward arrived at Raymond James Stadium six hours before game time. He said that’s a habit that carried over from night games at the University of Miami. To pass the time, Ward listened to some music and watched a movie. Ward was on the field to watch the grounds crew take the tarp off the grass so he could get an early start on his pregame warmup.

Also Saturday, Titans running back Tyjae Spears suffered a high ankle sprain after a 13-yard reception, sources told ESPN. Spears limped off the field and was placed on a cart before being taken to the locker room.