Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward showed early command in his first NFL preseason appearance on Aug. 9, completing 5 of 8 passes for 67 yards and an 89.1 passer rating. Ward engineered a 65-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 27-yard strike to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, capping the series with a scoring run that put the Titans on the board. The outing contrasted sharply with fellow rookie Graham Mertz’s debut elsewhere on the preseason slate. Mertz finished 7-of-14 for 28 yards, was intercepted three times and failed to lead a scoring drive. While preseason results are provisional, Ward’s efficient start gives Tennessee an early boost as it evaluates depth behind incumbent starter Will Levis.