Two Titans Players Who Will Continue to Get Involved on Offense

Without Carnell Tate in the lineup, the Tennessee Titans had their best offensive performance of the season in Week 8. 

That isn't to say it was because of Tate. The Titans were just finally able to have a complete game on offense. 

Tate was ruled out with a shoulder injury but is expected to be back after the bye week. 

The Titans scored 36 points and 440 total yards of offense, both of which were season highs. Even though they didn't win, it was still a great sign of things to come. 

Another thing that was great to see was the involvement of Gunnar Helm and Chimere Dike. Heading into Sunday, Helm didn't have a game where he finished with more than 30 receiving yards this season. 

He ended up leading the Titans with 76 receiving yards and continued to be one of Cam Ward's favorite targets during the game. He especially got open in the play-action passing game, and the Titans took advantage. 

Dike was in the same boat. He hasn't been used this much in 2026 and proved he can be a reliable target as well. Dike had 71 receiving yards and one touchdown on the day. 

It's almost like the Titans remembered they have players like Helm and Dike at their disposal. 

Head coach Robert Saleh was asked how much Helm and Dike will continue to be involved with the offense. Saleh shared that while the coverage that the Cincinnati Bengals were running allowed for the Titans to look their way, both players are going to be getting more involved. 

"Yeah, they'll continue to get involved," Saleh said. "Gunnar, you know, the game plan kind of dictated it with the way the coverage system allowed the tight end to kind of roam free in the middle of the field a little bit. And then Dike getting involved some. Would love to get him going more. Very youthful group when you really break it down. Between Gunnar, Dike, Elic, Tate when he gets back healthy. Those guys are really, really young. All in their first or second year." 

Tate has been a great addition so far. It's no wonder that Ward looks his way often during games. 

Sunday proved that the Titans have other playmakers they can go to when Tate isn't available, which was great to see. 

Even when Tate comes back, this proves that the Titans can draw up plays for someone other than him. This is the kind of thing that will only lead to more success in the passing game. 

Teams are eventually going to start focusing on covering Tate. That's just the reality of the NFL. 

The good thing is that the Titans have only players at skill positions like Wan'Dale Robinson, Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Helm, and others who can get open more often, with defenses likely to start focusing on shutting Tate down. 

The Titans' offense took a big step forward on Sunday. Helm and Dike were at the forefront of it.