NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Despite dealing with a foot injury that prevented Calvin Ridley from participating in two consecutive practice sessions, the wide receiver wasn’t deterred from putting in extra work.
On Tuesday morning, head coach Brian Callahan noted the sound of a JUGS machine operating at 7 a.m. Upon looking out the window, he spotted Ridley, the Titans’ notable free-agent addition, donning his helmet and catching passes from a team equipment manager.
In addition to his regular practice, Ridley practiced catching tennis balls during walk-throughs, demonstrating his commitment to improvement. Following the trade of three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, Callahan had a brief discussion with Ridley, conveying a clear and straightforward message: “Play better,” Ridley recounted on Wednesday.
The six-year veteran responded to the challenge, producing his most outstanding performance since joining the Titans by catching all six of his passes for an impressive 118 yards in just the first quarter. Ultimately, he finished with 10 receptions on 15 targets for a total of 143 yards, including a notable 47-yard catch, despite the team suffering a heavy 52-14 defeat against Detroit.
Ridley acknowledged that the coach gave him some tough love but emphasized his focus on hard work and determination. “I just went back to working a little harder that week… just more focused,” Ridley explained. He committed himself to raising his level of play, and that effort was evident.
Callahan took note of Ridley’s dedication, capturing footage of his early morning drills and sharing it with the rest of the team as a motivational example. The head coach estimated that Ridley had successfully caught around 200 balls before fully participating in last Friday’s practice.
“I commend him for seeking ways to improve,” Callahan praised. “It was inspiring to see his dedication, and I believe it reflected in his performance on Sunday.” Ridley’s hard work contributed to the Titans achieving their best passing total of the season. Quarterback Mason Rudolph passed for 258 yards, an impressive feat for an offense currently ranking 31st in the NFL with an average of 161.9 yards per game. Ridley’s contributions began right away; his first reception was a 13-yard catch from Rudolph.
Ridley acknowledged a missed opportunity in the game; he believed a defender was closer than he really was and opted to cut instead of potentially sprinting to the end zone. “I’ll be better,” he remarked, taking note of such critical moments.
With Treylon Burks, the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, now on injured reserve, Ridley’s role is crucial for the team. Currently, he leads the Titans with 22 receptions for 326 yards, averaging 14.8 yards per catch. This coming Sunday, the Titans (1-6) will face the New England Patriots (2-6) as they seek their first home victory of the season.
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons has been a source of support for Ridley amid scrutiny over his slower-than-expected start following a lucrative four-year contract worth up to $92 million signed in March. Simmons expressed understanding that Ridley did not anticipate being recorded during those practice sessions shared with the team.
Simmons has often observed Ridley’s dedication, even when no one is around to witness it. “What are you doing to keep elevating your game, especially in this league?” Simmons questioned, emphasizing that every day brings the challenge of competition for roster spots.
In terms of injury updates, quarterback Will Levis was listed as limited in practice due to a right shoulder issue. Callahan indicated plans to gradually increase Levis’s workload to evaluate his progress after missing two games because of a sprained AC joint. Furthermore, nine Titans missed Wednesday’s practice, with most being labeled as day-to-day at this critical juncture in the season. Running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) may have a shot at returning this week, while cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quadricep) remains on a week-to-week evaluation as he approaches a return to action.