DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks dazzle, plus more Tennessee Titans camp observations

When the Tennessee Titans head to Minnesota this week for joint practices with the Vikings, plenty of attention will be paid to Vikings' star receiver Justin Jefferson. But based on the way the Titans practiced Monday, a pair of the visiting team's receivers are going to demand some attention too.

The Titans' first-team offense was on the field for 22 plays at Monday's training camp practice, counting 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and second-year receiver Treylon Burks came down with nine catches across those 22 plays, including three catches in the first four plays of a two-minute drill and a touchdown to Hopkins on a toe-drag play in the back of the end zone in a red zone drill.

The first-team defense has generally had the first-team offense's number throughout training camp, but roles were reversed until the very end Monday. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 15-for-17 with three touchdowns, relying heavily on his top two receivers to push the ball downfield. Many of the throws were short checkdowns, slants and curls to receivers underneath, but with Burks and Hopkins he was able to push the ball into intermediate zones.

Tannehill and the first team offense did stall out in the two-minute drill thanks to a couple of incompletions, including one pass that defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons nearly plucked down for an interception. But the drill also stalled because the coaches were setting up to practice letting the special teams run out for a long field goal try.

Getting Hopkins and Burks going might be the key to unlocking a Titans passing offense that struggled all of last season. Seeing Tannehill develop more rhythm throwing to his two reliable outside targets is a pretty big step toward getting the offense going again.

Here are more of The Tennessean's observations from Monday's practice.

Tennessee Titans training camp observations: August 14

• The Titans had absences aplenty following the first preseason game two days ago. Running backs Hassan Haskins and Jonathan Ward were absent, as were linebacker Monty Rice, tight end Kevin Rader, defensive lineman Naquan Jones and offensive lineman John Ojukwu. The Titans put defensive tackle Shakel Brown on injured reserve and replaced him on the roster with veteran Kyle Peko, who last played for the Titans in 2021. Tight end Thomas Odukoya wore a non-contact yellow jersey and was out on the field for certain periods.

• Defensive back Josh Thompson returned from the non-football injury list and was on the field practicing for the first time since camp started. Tight end Alize Mack also returned to practice after missing last week with an injury.

• Offensive lineman Justin Murray, who the Titans signed on Aug. 5, took right tackle reps after spending most of his time with the team and all of his reps in the preseason game at guard. Murray started as the Arizona Cardinals' right tackle in 2019 but has mostly been a reserve tackle and guard since then.

• It wasn't a sterling performance for kickers Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff. The team went inside for practice to avoid rainy weather, but even in controlled conditions neither were able to rush onto the field and make their long field goal attempt at the end of two-minute drills.

• Backup quarterbacks Malik Willis and Will Levis didn't have as much success as Tannehill. Willis was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Tre Avery in a red zone drill, but Avery made an impressive play to come down with the ball. Both quarterbacks had passes broken up and were forced to take coverage sacks with no open receivers downfield. Levis threw one touchdown to receiver Gavin Holmes on a play-action pass in the red zone and Willis had one of his best throws dropped by slot receiver Kyle Philips, who would've had to contort his body in the air and survive contact with the ground to avoid the drop.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks dazzle at Tennessee Titans practice