Titans’ Fernando Carmona pushes into right-guard picture as camp battle tightens

The Tennessee Titans’ right guard competition has turned into a more complicated question as camp progresses, with rookie Fernando Carmona now being described as firmly in the mix to start. The development matters because right guard is not simply a rotational role, it is a weekly snap-and-communication position that can shape how the rest of the interior line plays, especially against NFL edge rushers who target the quickest angles to the quarterback.

Carmona’s name is gaining traction in that battle after earlier camp impressions had him lower in the hierarchy. Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press, as relayed in Pro Football Rumors, reported that Cordell Volson entered training camp holding the edge over Jackson Slater for the Titans’ starting right guard job, but that Carmona has moved up and is now “in the mix” to start.

According to the same report, the Titans’ internal evaluation appears to be moving from a clearer front-runner toward a more fluid competition. That is often how camps play out on the offensive line, where performance is measured across repetition, technique consistency, and the ability to handle different stunt looks and blitz pressures that do not show up identically in every practice script.

While the discussion centers on right guard, the subtext is larger: Tennessee is still trying to sort out who can provide the most dependable interior push in both pass protection and run blocking. That includes how the right guard pairs with the center on exchange mechanics, how quickly the guard identifies when to chip a looper or pass off a late rusher, and how well the player can adjust his base as pass sets change from rep to rep.

The Titans’ wide receiver group is also being referenced in the camp conversation, labeled as part of the “latest” update in the same coverage. That framing suggests the team’s camp storylines are overlapping, with offensive line development and receiver integration progressing at the same time, which can influence timing and spacing during team periods.

Even with Carmona trending upward in camp talk, it is important to treat this as an evolving evaluation, not a finalized depth-chart decision. NFL starting jobs are typically the product of cumulative practice performance, the ability to execute under contact, and how coaching staffs prioritize fit within their blocking scheme.

What to watch next is whether the right-guard reps continue to rotate in a way that keeps Carmona and the established names in the conversation, or whether Volson or Slater reasserts separation. Also watch whether Tennessee’s offensive rhythm in practice periods changes when the right side of the line is paired with specific quarterback and receiver combinations, since those chemistry elements often become visible only after the groupings settle.

If Carmona is eventually named the starter, it would represent a meaningful step for a rookie to earn immediate trust in a core interior role. If he is not, the fact that he is being discussed as a starter-level candidate still indicates that the Titans may have found a viable path for him to contribute early, either as an option on gameday or as a developmental cornerstone for later in the season.