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Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

TERESA M. WALKER

Sports writer

Walker covers sports in Tennessee for The Associated Press, including college sports and the NFL’s Titans, the NBA’s Grizzlies and the NHL’s Predators.
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike McCoy shakes hands with players walking off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee Titans tied for NFL’s worst record at 1-8 at midpoint of season
The Tennessee Titans have reached the midpoint of a miserable, not good and just plain ugly season with a chance to rest.
 
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) runs next to Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Chargers’ Daiyan Henley plays through grief after brother’s shooting death
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley started and played Sunday because football is his escape.
 
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) slides into the end zone to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Justin Herbert shakes off a pick-6 as the Chargers beat skidding Titans 27-20
Justin Herbert threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score and the Los Angeles Chargers beat the woeful Tennessee Titans 27-20 Sunday for their third win in four games.
 
Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) is carted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Chargers left tackle Joe Alt carted off field with right ankle injury
Jim Harbaugh didn’t have an update on Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Joe Alt after he was carted off the field Sunday. What little the coach said wasn’t promising.
 
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Chargers and Titans are going in different directions when they meet Sunday
The Los Angeles Chargers are rested and ready for a road trip trying to position themselves for a second straight playoff berth.
 
Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes (1) scores against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Mikayla Blakes ready for more with No. 19 Vanderbilt after amazing freshman season
Mikayla Blakes knows she won’t slip quietly into her second season at No. 19 Vanderbilt after her amazing collegiate debut.
 
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) walks off the field at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Growing injury list adding to pain in dismal season for the Tennessee Titans
Injuries are adding up and adding to the insult of a dismal season for the Tennessee Titans. The toll is most noticeable on defense.
 
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward recovers the football after being tackled during the second half an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Titans make clear with latest trade team ready to deal in rebuilding year
The Tennessee Titans have made clear a week ahead of the NFL trade deadline that they’re open for business after the latest loss in an ugly season.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) dives over the Missouri defense for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 10 Vanderbilt edges No. 15 Missouri for Commodores’ best start since 1941
Diego Pavia dove across the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:52 left as No. 10 Vanderbilt beat 15th-ranked Missouri 17-10 Saturday to extend the Commodores’ best start in more than 80 years.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates his touchdown with running back Makhilyn Young (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
No. 10 Vanderbilt’s historic rise is put to the test when hosting No. 15 Missouri in an SEC showdown
The Vanderbilt Commodores are doing exactly what they talked about last January when starting to prepare for this season.
 
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) walks off the field at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Titans’ defense takes a hit with injuries to pair of starters in Simmons and Sneed
The Tennessee Titans are going to be without a pair of defensive starters, including three-time Pro Bowl tackle Jeffery Simmons, because of injuries for at least a week or two.
 
Texas Tech students throw tortillas before the NCAA college football game against Kansas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Annie Rice)
Has parity arrived in college football? Transfer portal, NIL money credited for tighter games
The transfer portal and NIL money have helped level the playing field across college football. The result is the type of parity that makes the NFL must-see TV with the competition tighter than ever, especially in the Power Four conferences.
 
New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) recovers a fumble by Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Interim coach Mike McCoy gets full week to prepare coming off another Titans’ loss
The one thing the Tennessee Titans have going for them in a miserable season is interim coach Mike McCoy at least has a bit more time to prepare for a game now.
 
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Titans’ woes continue with new coach and another loss, this time to Vrabel, Patriots
The Tennessee Titans have a new coach and yet another loss featuring too many of the issues that have plagued this franchise this season.
 
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, shakes hands with Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy following an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Patriots rout the Titans 31-13 in coach Mike Vrabel’s return to Tennessee
Drake Maye threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns and the New England Patriots beat the Tennessee Titans 31-13 Sunday in coach Mike Vrabel’s first game against the franchise that fired him in January 2024.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Pavia has No. 17 Vanderbilt off to best start in 75 years after beating No. 10 LSU 31-24
Diego Pavia threw for 160 yards and a score and ran for 86 yards and two more touchdowns as No. 17 Vanderbilt beat 10th-ranked LSU 31-24 to snap a 10-game skid against the Tigers.
 
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel returns to face the Titans for 1st time since being fired
Mike Vrabel congratulated Brian Callahan when the Tennessee Titans hired him as Vrabel’s successor as head coach.
 
LSU head coach Brian Kelly confers with LSU place kicker Damian Ramos before he attempts a kick for a point after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 17 Vanderbilt looks to bounce back against 10th-ranked LSU after Alabama loss
The 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores feel they let a big opportunity get away in their first loss this season. An open date let them stew even longer.
 
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) dunks against Memphis during the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic NCAA college basketball exhibition game Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill, File)
March Madness in October? Top programs using exhibitions to cash in and check team chemistry
The last weekend of October now looks like the second week of March Madness even though the games don’t count.
 
Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy watches his players during practice at the team's NFL football training facility Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Rookie QB Cam Ward faces new challenge with new coach 6 games into his NFL career
Rookie Cam Ward talked more than a couple of times about valuing stability in working with Tennessee coach Brian Callahan.
 
Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Mike McCoy leaning on years of NFL experience as the Titans’ interim coach
Mike McCoy is leaning on his years of NFL coaching experience, including four as head coach of the then-San Diego Chargers, as he takes over as the Tennessee Titans’ interim coach.
 
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Leki Fotu (95) recovers a fumble by Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tennessee Titans’ interim coach history dims hopes for Brian Callahan’s replacement
The Tennessee Titans’ history with interim coaches offers little hope that firing coach Brian Callahan on Monday will pay off this season.
 
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan reacts on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Titans make Brian Callahan NFL’s 1st coach fired this year after 4-19 record and 1-5 start
The Tennessee Titans have fired coach Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start to his second season. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker says the rebuilding team hasn’t shown enough growth.
 
Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo talks with players before an NBA basketball preseason game against the Detroit Pistons, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Full-court sprints and inhalers: Grizzlies put their trust in Tuomas Iisalo to bring about a new era
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo told the Grizzlies in exit meetings last spring to be ready to play faster when they returned this fall.
 
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) makes a save on a shot by Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault, front right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Ryan O’Reilly’s power-play goal lifts the Predators to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets
Ryan O’Reilly scored a power-play goal early in the third period, and the Nashville Predators opened the season by beating the Blue Jackets 2-1 and extending their home winning streak over Columbus to 10 games.
 
Tennessee Titans' Jeffery Simmons answers a question during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin )
Jeffery Simmons’ standout play a bright spot in Titans’ struggling start
Tennessee coach Brian Callahan can’t praise Jeffery Simmons enough for how the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is playing to start this season.
 
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Lockett (4) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Cam Ward, left, and Elic Ayomanor (5) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Titans take advantage of mistakes that cost them in 10-game skid for needed win
The Tennessee Titans bought themselves a break from the questions about losing and whether coach Brian Callahan should be fired.
 
Vanderbilt wide receiver Richie Hoskins (5) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Diego Pavia, behind, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Federal panel dismisses NCAA appeal of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s injunction
A federal appeals panel has dismissed the NCAA’s eligibility case against Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who is playing this season under a preliminary injunction.
 
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) reacts as he walks to the sideline after throwing an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Woeful Titans tired of talking about winless start with skid now at 10 straight
The time for talking is over for the winless Tennessee Titans. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons says they’re playing bad football and he’s tired of both hearing and saying they have to play better.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates the team's win after an NCAA college football game against Georgia State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vanderbilt’s football revival: Fans eager to check out undefeated Commodores
Ray Campbell finally stepped foot back on Vanderbilt’s campus for a football game for his first well over a decade. Yes, the first stadium renovation since 1981 helped.
 
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