Tennessee Titans first-year coach Robert Saleh said the Titans, including quarterback Cam Ward, got their steps in during a 26-3 loss against the Houston Texans on Oct. 12.
Only they were steps in the wrong direction for a team that fell to 0-5 this season and had its worst offensive showing yet.
The Titans had 187 yards of total offense, their lowest output of the year. The same is true about the 57 yards rushing they managed. And the three points. Their 130 yards passing is the second-lowest total so far.
"Was yesterday a step back?" Saleh said of Ward's performance during a Zoom conference Oct. 12. "I could say that it was a step back. Was it all Cam? It's not. It's an 11-man
game in terms offensive football, and even defensively we could have done a hell of a lot better in the second half with that first drive."
"It was (expletive) for lack of better words. We got our (expletive) kicked, especially up front. But will a step back discourage us from trying to take two steps forward? No, we're going to get back to the drawing board today."
The Titans will play at the Indianapolis Colts (2-3) on Oct. 18 (noon, FOX).
Will Robert Saleh make drastic changes to spark Titans?
The Titans rank last in the league in points (11.6) and yards (246.4) per game.
While he called out the offensive line and Ward's play, he said he has no plans to make any drastic changes.
"When you make wholesale changes ... I feel like you're showing a sign of panic," Saleh said. "This is not the time. We're in Game 5 of Year 1. I get it; it hasn't been good.
"It's all about establishing a foundation. I would love to have a few more wins. I'm not disregarding that at all. Ultimately we're here to win football games only. But in terms of trying to just throw gas on the fire to see if you can spark something ... that's a sign of panic."
Titans injury updates on Cor'Dale Flott, Kevin Winston Jr.
Titans cornerback Cor'Dale Flott, who left the game against the Texans with a chest injury and did not return, is still being evaluated, Saleh said Oct. 12.
Safety Kevin Winston Jr., who left the game after hurting his quadricep on the first play, also is being evaluated.
"Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans coach Robert Saleh says Cam Ward, team took 'step back' in loss vs Texans
