Titans cornerback Joshua Williams is getting closer to a bigger role as Robert Saleh’s defense settles in

The Titans’ pass defense has been a point of attention heading into the preseason, and a first look against the San Francisco 49ers seemed to underline the concern. In that opener, the 49ers’ backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes against Tennessee’s starting secondary, a result that reinforced criticism that the Titans’ back end has not yet looked fully settled.

For Tennessee, the storyline is not only about what has gone wrong, but also about what may be starting to come together. Yahoo Sports reported that cornerback Joshua Williams is getting closer to being a contributor within Robert Saleh’s defensive structure, suggesting that the Titans see a potential shift from depth and evaluation snaps toward more meaningful defensive reps.

Williams’ potential importance is tied directly to the Titans’ secondary picture. The same report notes that much has been made of Tennessee’s “supposed ongoing struggles in the secondary,” and it frames the preseason performance as a reminder that coverage communication and execution are still being tested. In that context, a player moving toward contributor status can become more than just a rotational note, especially if Tennessee wants to stabilize third-down defense and limit big plays.

The preseason also offered another indicator of what the coaching staff is managing as it tries to evaluate the defense under game conditions. Yahoo Sports said starting quarterback Cam Ward “has also routinely carved up the starters for most of training camp,” which adds pressure to any plan built around coverage reliability. If the Titans want their secondary to look different, it likely will require not only scheme fit, but also a cornerback able to impact routes quickly and consistently.

Saleh’s defense relies on speed, pattern recognition, and disciplined leverage, particularly from cornerbacks who must coordinate with the front and handle movement within the coverage shells. When a team is dealing with early-season uncertainty in coverage, the leap from “getting closer” to “contributing” can matter because it affects who is on the field for high-leverage defensive snaps and how the defensive staff manages matchups.

Still, preseason results are not a clean measure of future regular-season performance. Backups and rotational lineups can expose coverages, and quarterbacks often have varying periods of comfort and protection strength. The same is true for a player’s role: “getting closer” does not guarantee a jump in production immediately, but it does report that the staff believes Williams’ readiness is approaching the point where he can be used more confidently.

What to watch next is whether Williams’ increased involvement comes with the type of coverage continuity that can reduce the big-play risk that preseason struggles tend to magnify. If Tennessee begins to show more consistent competitiveness against both the run-pass mix and the passing game in the following preseason outings, Williams’ snap count and assignment trust could become a practical indicator of how quickly the Titans are moving from concern toward adjustment.

Whether the Titans’ secondary issues are primarily scheme-related, personnel-related, or simply timing-related will become clearer as the preseason progresses. For now, the report’s central takeaway is that Williams is trending toward a more meaningful role, and that could be one of the few paths for Tennessee to change the defensive narrative before the regular season begins.