Even by most rookie quarterback standards, the Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward has had a rough initiation to the NFL.
But after a bye week, Ward says he's ready to go for Tennessee's final eight games, beginning Sunday when the Titans host the Houston Texans in Nashville.
Ward has thrown for 1,760 yards and five touchdowns with six interceptions, completing 58% of his passes. However, he's been sacked a league-high 38 times and has lost five fumbles. His 11 turnovers are tied for third in the NFL.
Ward said he used the bye week to recover physically and reflect on his first nine games.
"It was good just to self-scout myself and what I can do to help the team be better on offense," he said. "And what I can do to help myself. Just getting back to the basics of football, getting my body healthy. It was a good break."
A lack of playmakers and inconsistency in the offensive line have damaged the Titans (1-8). The firing of coach Brian Callahan after six games has, so far, has done little to spark the team. Tennessee is 0-3 under interim coach Mike McCoy.
During the break, McCoy looked back at film to see how he and the staff can help Ward make more of the big plays that were a staple of his 2024 at Miami. One way is to encourage Ward not to force long passes as often.
Offensive coordinator Nick Holz said Ward is getting better at taking checkdowns.
"I've got to get the ball in my playmakers' hands," Ward said. "Let them make plays for us, and I think that'll have the offense flowing."
The potential return of No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley could help Ward. Ridley practiced for the first time Wednesday after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury. He was limited each day this week and was listed as questionable for Sunday.
While Ward and Tennessee try to spark a dormant attack, Houston (4-5) will turn to backup Davis Mills for a second straight game. CJ Stroud remains in concussion protocol after being knocked out in a Week 9 loss to Denver. He didn't practice all week and was ruled out Friday.
Mills led the Texans to a come-from-behind, 36-29 win last week over Jacksonville, thanks to a 26-point fourth quarter. He threw for 292 yards and a pair of fourth-quarter scores before rushing for a 14-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left to put Houston ahead for good.
The other star for Houston was Danielle Hunter. The five-time Pro Bowl defensive end mauled the Jaguars' offensive line, tying a career-high with 3 1/2 sacks, as well as recording seven tackles, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble.
"He was exploding off the ball, playing violent, not slowing down," said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. "That only works with the interior guys getting the right push."
The Titans already know the damage Hunter can do to an offense. He logged two sacks and helped Houston limit Tennessee to 175 total yards in the Texans' 26-0 shutout win against the Titans on Sept. 28.
Houston might need that kind of pass rush from Hunter again. The team's secondary took a hit last week after safety M.J. Stewart suffered a season-ending quad injury.
The Texans also ruled out tight end Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder), defensive backs Damon Arnette (ankle) and Jalen Pitre (concussion) and kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (right quad). Right guard Ed Ingram (knee) is questionable along with fullback Jakob Johnson (hamstring) and tight end Cade Stover (foot).
The Titans ruled out running back Kalel Mullings (ankle), receiver Bryce Oliver (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (hamstring). Also questionable are defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and C.J. Ravenell (ankle) and linebacker Arden Key (quad).
--Field Level Media