The Tennessee Titans are treating Thursday night at Levi's Stadium like a dress rehearsal; the San Francisco 49ers are treating it like a scrimmage for the back of the roster. Robert Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator now running the Titans, plans to play his would-be first-stringers against a San Francisco team that Kyle Shanahan says "won't have many starters playing." The line reflects the mismatch in approach: Tennessee opens as a 3-point road favorite with the total at 39.5.
Cam Ward Gets His Second Act Started
The Titans' franchise quarterback is entering year two with something to build on. Ward started all 17 games as a rookie, threw for 3,169 yards — a franchise rookie record that eclipsed Marcus Mariota's mark — and closed the season with 10 touchdown passes and just one interception over his final nine games, adding two rushing scores. He'll see at least a short appearance under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as Tennessee works in a new system.
The Titans also get their first look at this year's draft class, headlined by fourth-overall pick Carnell Tate out of Ohio State — the first of eight Tennessee selections who could all see preseason action. Behind Ward, Mitchell Trubisky is the primary backup, while Will Levis (returning from shoulder surgery that cost him all of 2025) and Hendon Hooker battle for roster spots.
49ers Turn to the Deep Roster
Shanahan got his starters' work in Tuesday's joint practice with the Titans — Purdy, Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel, Fred Warner and company all saw plenty of it — and now most of them will watch from the sideline. Purdy hasn't played a preseason opener since his rookie year in 2022. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Nick Bosa and Dre Greenlaw are among the 20-plus players dealing with injuries of some form, so the evaluation falls to the reserves.
The most intriguing name is quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the 2025 seventh-round pick who spent his rookie season rehabbing a torn ACL and is now battling Adrian Martinez for the No. 3 job behind Purdy and Mac Jones. Rookie edge Romello Height's speed off the edge has come as advertised in camp, second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has stood out with Christian Kirk out, and fifth-rounder Jaden Duggar has carved out a new hybrid edge/linebacker role. The left guard battle is wide open, with veteran Robert Jones and fourth-round pick Carver Willis in the mix.
The Line and Market Signals
DraftKings has Tennessee at -3 (-155) with San Francisco at +130 and a total of 39.5. The number has moved in Tennessee's direction as the Titans' starter-driven approach became clear — some books have the Titans as high as -5 or -6. The lean here is straightforward: a team playing its starters, even briefly, against a team playing its backups usually covers a field-goal spread. The under at 39.5 is also drawing support with so many proven playmakers on the sideline.
The Pick: Titans 23-16
Ward and the Titans' starters should put up a quick score or two before giving way, and Tennessee's roster runs deeper at the positions that matter most — especially with Saleh's defense facing a 49ers offense led by Mac Jones and the QB3 duo of Rourke and Martinez. Take the Titans to win and cover the 3-point spread, and lean under on 39.5. Final projection: Titans 23-16.
Cole Donovan
Cole Donovan writes practical sports coverage with a focus on team form, game context, and the small details that can shape each matchup.