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Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tensions escalated during a 96-degree day at the Tennessee Titans training camp as QB Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons engaged in a scuffle on Monday.
After throwing a touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley near the end of practice and celebrating, Ward halted briefly to push Simmons before performing his signature «Zombieland» celebration in front of him. In response, Simmons pushed Ward’s facemask with both hands, prompting the offensive line to intervene on Ward’s behalf.
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«Absolutely not,» left tackle Dan Moore Jr. remarked regarding anyone touching the quarterback. «That should go without saying.»
Though Simmons and Ward were separated, it occurred after Simmons’ helmet was knocked off during their altercation. Ward returned for the following play while Simmons exited the field. The practice concluded just two plays later, with Titans coach Brian Callahan having the team run afterward.
«You get that same attitude, confidence, that same edge every day out of those two guys,» cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. commented. «That’s what you anticipate. But when it involves the quarterback, you’ve got to intervene as quickly as possible. But brothers do fight.»
Ridley’s touchdown and the subsequent incident between Ward and Simmons happened right after running back Julius Chestnut scored on a short run, where he bounced outside following a block from right tackle JC Latham that took Simmons out of the play. Latham taunted Simmons all the way back to the huddle following that score.
Simmons has been part of an ongoing exchange of trash talk with the entire offensive line, primarily Latham and Ward. Neither Ward nor Simmons addressed the media following the practice.
«You never want to see your quarterback caught up in those situations,» Brownlee said. «But when it does happen, it reveals the kind of tenacity he possesses. He isn’t going to accept anything.»
