The Tennessee Titans' joint practice last week felt like the team getting their feet wet more than anything else. We saw a few early trends begin to develop against the San Francisco 49ers - trends that resulted in talking points from the preseason opener - but that was still just the beginning.Now, just a little more than a week later, the stakes have been drastically heightened. With just nine days until roster cuts will be made, players have long left the preseason grace period and are now working for either an elevated role or a spot on the Titans' 53-man roster.In today's joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks, ahead of Sunday's matchup in Nashville, three players are each fighting three unique battles.RG Fernando CarmonaCarmona has become one of the most consistent mentions for the Titans this summer. After being taken out of Arkansas in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, the right guard slowly climbed up Tennessee's depth chart. Currently, he's the favorite to win the starting gig over Cordell Volson and Jackson Slater.That's what makes this joint practice - and really this weekend - so important. Carmona will have a shot this season either way, but another solid turn from him in live competition all but guarantees he'll be out on the first drive next month with the Titans offense. Tennessee Titans guard Fernando Carmona Jr. (66) and Tennessee Titans defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) during the Titans Rookie Camp Day 2 at Vanderbilt Health Football Center in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 2, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectIt's been an unexpected ascension for the rookie, although an entirely welcome one given the state of the offensive line entering this offseason. Fingers crossed for another strong showing today.CB Cor'Dale FlottOn the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Carmona, Flott is a veteran cornerback who Tennessee paid handsomely to hold things down in the secondary this year. His questionable outing in last week's joint practice gave way to a game that saw him burned by Niners rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. His 74 yards allowed (six completions on six targets) was impossible to spin.The Titans' entire secondary needs a better week, but it's Flott specifically who stood out in the worst way in the opener. Starting with Friday's joint practice, he's the guy under the hottest light to improve in that unit.QB Will LevisBeating the Levis drum has become popular toward the end of camp, but you simply can't leave him off a list like this. With Trubisky seemingly healthy at the QB2 spot behind Cam Ward, Levis appears to be firmly out of the picture in Tennessee's quarterback room.Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) looks to pass in the fourth quarter during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe only thing that could feasibly earn him a seat at this point would be a real knockout finish to the preseason. Even if Levis is essentially auditioning for other teams at this point, arguably nobody on the roster has more to play for than he does this week.That makes Levis worth special attention in joint practice. It's all or nothing for a guy who was starting for the Titans just two seasons ago.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow