Tensions flared in Nashville after a punishing collision during joint practices, leaving a high-priced offensive weapon sidelined and the coaching staff fuming over an aggressive defensive play.
The Tennessee Titans kicked off their joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
It's a good challenge for the Titans, who are facing another playoff team from last season.
The Bears reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year in their first year under head coach Ben Johnson.
The Titans have already faced the San Francisco 49ers and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks in the preseason.
Thursday was a battle of two teams on two different trajectories. The Bears are trying to build on their solid 2025 campaign to achieve sustained success. The Titans are trying to turn things around after two straight years at 3-14.
The two teams last played each other to open the 2024 season. Will Levis and the Titans went up 17-0 in the first half, but the Bears then scored 24 unanswered points to win.
The Bears and Titans have a few familiar faces, as safety Xavier Woods returned to Nashville. He played for the Titans last year and was released in the offseason.
Woods got involved early, as he had a big hit on receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Robinson left the practice, and his Titans teammates got into a fight with Bears players.
After practice ended, head coach Robert Saleh called the play a "cheap" hit. He then offered an update on Robinson's status.
As expected after a big hit like that, Saleh revealed that Robinson was being evaluated for a concussion.
Robinson has played in both preseason games so far. In the first game with the 49ers, he ended up with two receptions for 19 yards.
He made two catches in the Seahawks game for 11 yards.
Robinson is a key player for the Titans and was the third-highest paid in terms of average salary for all the free agents the team brought in this offseason.
With Robinson's hit so close to Saturday, the Titans may be motivated to sit him as a precaution, even if he doesn't end up with a concussion.
The Titans have been fortunate to avoid major injuries for the most part in the preseason. Other than the season-ending injuries to Jaylen Harrell and Jaren Kanak, the team has only had minor injuries up to this point.
The Titans have about three weeks before their season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 13. If Robinson does have a concussion, the team will most likely sit him out so he can be available for the first game.
For now, the team focuses on the Bears.
