Cam Ward has tough night vs. 49ers backups

Cam Ward completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,169 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a rookie. The Titans are hoping for a big jump this season.

The 2025 No. 1 overall pick did not look the part Thursday night against the 49ers backup defense.

Ward played three series and went 5-of-12 for 57 yards with a 56.6 passer rating. He had 2 yards on one carry, an intentional grounding penalty and a near-interception. His longest completion was Calvin Ridley’s 18-yard catch-and-run.

Ward did direct an 11-play, 95-yard opening drive that was capped by Tony Pollard’s 5-yard touchdown run. The Titans had 10 plays for 26 yards on Ward’s final two drives of the night.

Backup Mitchell Trubisky replaced Ward with 3:55 remaining until halftime.