Cam Ward shows why the Titans took him at No. 1 overall in his preseason debut

The Tennessee Titans are the first to point out that rookie Cam Ward has room for improvement, even as the No. 1 overall draft pick provided plenty of optimism for the future.

Ward didn't connect on his first two passes. Then he completed five of his next six for 67 yards and drove the Titans 65 yards on 11 plays, using up 6 minutes, 38 seconds of a 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“It was a good start for him,” coach Brian Callahan said Sunday. “Encouraging, was productive. But yeah, there's a couple of things that we're going to keep kind of grinding on I think. Still working on getting the ball out fast, still working on the timing part of it ... But overall pretty good."

Ward showed the chemistry he's been building with wide receiver Calvin Ridley, connecting with the veteran three times for 50 yards.

Best for the Titans is the pocket a revamped offensive line provided for the rookie. Tennessee gave up 52 sacks in 2024 — only Houston and Seattle (54), Cleveland (66) and Chicago (68) allowed more.

That's why the Titans signed veteran Dan Moore Jr. to be their new left tackle, moving JC Latham over to right tackle after his rookie season. They also brought in 13-year veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler.

Center Lloyd Cushenberry III is on the physically unable to perform list, and the Titans held Zeitler out of the preseason opener. But center Corey Levin and guard Andrew Rupcich both helped show how much this unit has improved working under assistant coach Bill Callahan.

"Again, there’s a lot of work still to be done and there’s a lot of other rushers that are yet to be faced, so we’ll build on a first positive first step, but definitely have a lot to keep going,” Callahan said.

Callahan said running back Tyjae Spears will miss a couple of weeks with an injured ankle that had him taken by cart to the locker room during the second quarter of the preseason opener. Spears was seen by reporters with a walking boot on his right foot and using crutches after the game.

Callahan said they're waiting on a final word on some things: “But he will definitely miss some time.”

Cushenberry is expected to start practicing this week. He started eight games before hurting his Achilles tendon in November. DT T'Vondre Sweat likely will need a week to recover from a tonsillectomy.

With Sweat and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons both out against the Buccaneers, the Titans struggled like it was 2024 to defend the run. The Titans ranked 26th last season in allowing an average of 133.9 yards per game and gave up 178 to Tampa Bay.

Three different Bucs had a long run of 12 yards or longer as Tampa Bay averaged 4.3 yards per carry.

“Not the number we’re looking for, and that’s got to get improved,” Callahan said.

The Titans got to their hotel in Georgia around 4 a.m. Sunday. They practice against the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday and Wednesday before Friday night's exhibition.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker scores against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game aTampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/