The Titans added several veteran offensive linemen this offseason, but a rookie that joined the team on the final day of the draft may wind up as one of their five starters come week one.
Fifth-round pick Fernando Carmona started at right guard in the team’s first preseason game last week and he is in line to start again this week.
“He put his foot in the door, and he’s doing everything he can to throw his shoulder through,” head coach Robert Saleh said, via Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press.
Carmona started at left tackle at San Jose State and Arkansas before moving to guard in his final season with the Razorbacks. He said on Wednesday that practicing against defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has helped spur his growth this summer.
“Being a rookie, there’s a lot of things I need to grow on, and he sees a lot of those flaws in me,” Carmona said. “And it’s just awesome having that veteran leader being able to tell you what he sees and how it can improve my game.”
The Titans are hoping that Saleh’s hiring will usher in a more successful run of football than they’ve enjoyed in recent years and Carmona could wind up being a part of that.