Malik Willis' best day and other Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals joint practice observations

The Tennessee Titans held a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday ahead of their preseason game Saturday at Nissan Stadium. The teams worked together for about half the day.

Here's what stood out:

Rough two-minute period for offense

The offense struggled, particularly in the two-minute drill at the end of practice. On its first drive, the first-team offense couldn’t reach midfield. Rookie Kyle Philips – targeted four times in the series, including a catch – took a big hit at the end, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill tried to squeeze a ball to him between two defenders.

Tannehill was picked off in the end zone by Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy in the starters’ second drive. Cody Hollister was the targeted receiver.

Cardinals safety Tae Daley, who played at Vanderbilt from 2017-19, also had an interception returned for a touchdown off rookie quarterback Malik Willis in the two-minute period.

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Tannehill said the Cardinals’ defense was showing looks the Titans looks they haven’t seen before, including some not normally seen in the NFL.

“We just weren’t playing at a high level, what we expect offensively,” Tannehill said. “Just too inconsistent for today. We have to learn from it, clean it up. They were throwing a lot of different looks at us we really didn’t prepare for. We were just coming out for a half practice with (the Cardinals). It will be good learning tape.”

The offense wasn’t as full strength, too. Wide receiver Robert Woods was limited and first-round pick Treylon Burks left practice shortly after a special team periods, where he was returning punts.

Malik Willis makes strides

Willis had arguably his best performance with the Titans. He threw with timing and accuracy, especially in 7-on-7 work, where he completed all seven of his passes.

His best play of the day: a deep completion to a falling Mason Kinsey in a Titans vs. Titans team period. The ball sailed at least 40 yards. It drew some of the loudest cheers of the day from fans.

The former Liberty star also hit Reggie Roberson in stride across the middle in a team drill, a play that looked like his completion to wide receiver Nick Westbrook on his first play of the preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Saturday.

Willis wasn’t without his mistakes – the pick, for example – but he showed “improved” play Wednesday, according to coach Mike Vrabel.

“I thought there was some good timing,” Vrabel said. “Something that came up (Tuesday): Against zone, how quickly that ball needs to be delivered and where it needs to go. I thought that there were some accurate balls standing where I was in 7-on-7.”

Caleb Farley bests DeAndre Hopkins

Titans cornerback Caleb Farley had a strong one-on-one rep against Cardinals star receiver DeAndre Hopkins, running step for step and breaking up a pass to the three-time All Pro.

“It’s extremely beneficial to be able to work with guys that have proven to be elite players in the NFL,” Farley said. “And then to be able to make plays on them, it’s a good confidence booster and some motivation to keep pushing and working hard going in the right direction.”

But Hopkins also showed why he’s one of the NFL’s best wideouts. He caught a pass off a slant, despite strong coverage from Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton, and scored a touchdown on second-round rookie Roger McCreary in one-on-ones. In a low red zone two-on-two drill, Hopkins also had an impressive one-handed grab in the end zone with Fulton in coverage.

Other notes from one-on-ones

• Safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker took part. The drill is typically reserved for cornerbacks

• Fulton kicked off the drill breaking up a pass to Marquise Brown

• McCreary tripped in coverage against Arizona’s JaVonta Payton

• Brown got big separation on Fulton on an in-breaking route

Derrick Henry does more

Star running back Derrick Henry was the most active he’s been in practice since the start of training camp, participating in 7-on-7 and team periods. Henry said last week he typically ramps up in the last week of the preseason, which the Titans are now in.

Vrabel said he feels Henry is in a good spot.

“Derrick wants to be as involved as possible, you know?" Vrabel said. "We have open dialogue. He’s been great. He’s been all for whatever it is we decide is best for him and the team.”

Roll call

Defensive lineman Denico Autry, right guard Nate Davis, nickelback Elijah Molden and linebacker Dylan Cole were among the Titans to not practice. Running back Trenton Cannon returned.

Highlight plays

Here are some other noteworthy observations and moments from the day:

• Philips continued to be heavily targeted, but the Cardinals defensive backs did a nice job being aggressive with him. He had one of his rougher days of training camp

• Safety Joshua Kalu forced a fumble (7s)

• Defensive back Lonnie Johnson downed Cardinals rookie Trey McBridge inches of the end zone (red zone 7s)

• Tannehill connected a tight-window throw to rookie tight end Chig Okonkwo (7s)

• Hopkins had with a contested grab against McCreary (7s)

• Undrafted rookie cornerback Tre Avery broke up a pass (7s)

• Kyler Murray connected with Cardinals receiver Andy Isabella, who got behind Titans cornerback Tre Swilling for a long touchdown (7s)

• Fulton broke up a Murray pass to Brown on a slant (red zone 7s)

• Cardinals receiver Greg Dortch, who had a strong day, dropped Titans defensive back Chris Jackson with a nice move after a catch and scored a touchdown (red zone 7s)

• Westbrook-Ikhine made a nice catch and juke near the sideline to make a Cardinals defender miss and put the Titans offense just outside the red zone (two-minute)

• Cardinals receiver Jontre Kirklin scored a touchdown up the sideline after Jackson slipped attempting a tackle (two-minute)

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Malik Willis shines, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals observations