Game balls: Titans 19, Bears 15

Guys down the depth chart played start to finish, which gave them the chance to shine

Mike DiNovo/USA Today Sports

A large number of those who played for the Tennessee Titans in Thursday’s preseason finale at Chicago will be out of a job by the end of the weekend.

At least they’ll go out winners. With most of the biggest names and veterans watching, those who occupy the lower spots on the depth chart rallied for a 19-15 victory at Soldier Field.

The approach gave guys who normally would be overlooked the chance to stand out. Here we recognize some of those who did exactly that with the presentation of game balls.

Offense:Dalyn Dawkins, running back. Dawkins, who flip-flopped between the active roster and practice squad in 2018 as an undrafted rookie, rushed for 117 yards on 13 carries, an average of 9.0 yards per attempt. No one else for the Titans had more than 108 rushing yards the entire preseason.

Dawkins also caught four passes for 31 yards and scored the Titans’ two touchdowns, the first on a 9-yard reception in the second quarter and the game-winner on a 3-yard play with 1:25 to play.

Defense:Kareem Orr, cornerback. An undrafted rookie out of Chattanooga, Orr led all players on both teams with 13 tackles (12 solo stops). His final three stops came on the game’s final drive, when the Bears tried to answer Dawkins’ touchdown.

It is not necessarily a good sign when a defensive back makes that many tackles but at least he got guys to the ground. Plus, in the first three preseason contests Orr played a total of 60 snaps and was credited with just one tackle.

Special teams:LaTroy Lewis, linebacker. He was credited with a game-high two special teams tackles, which for a guy who did not play in the 2018 regular season, is notable.

Lewis is one of many outside linebackers the Titans have auditioned during the offseason, training camp and the preseason. The first step for any such player is to prove that he can contribute on special teams.