Carnell Tate's Zero Preseason Catches: One Major Reason Why Titans Fans Shouldn't Panic

Carnell Tate has zero receptions through two preseason games, but there's one big reason why his lack of production shouldn't worry Tennessee Titans fans yet.

August 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate (14) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Carnell Tate is almost as central to the Tennessee Titans' ongoing rebuild as Cam Ward. The latter certainly takes more pressure under center as the face of the franchise, but Tate was taken just one year (and only three picks) later. The Titans are staking a lot on their rookie wide receiver.

If you were to judge that pick through two preseason games, that would look like a mistake. On just five targets, Tate has brought in zero (none, zip, nada) catches. In fact, per PFF, Tate has the lowest completion percentage of anyone with a minimum of five targets this preseason: 0%, for those keeping track at home.

However, there are many reasons we don't judge rookies based on their short-snap preseason performances, and there's one major reason why Titans fans shouldn't yet worry about Tate's lack of production.

Lowest comp pct when targeted this preseason
(min. 5 targets)

Carnell Tate 0%
Charlie Jones 28.6%
Jacob Cowing 28.6%
Phillip Dorsett 30%
6 players tied 33.3% pic.twitter.com/6vmllMIBSv

— PFF (@PFF) August 24, 2026

Tennessee simply isn't scheming to get Tate open right now. Say what you will about his route-running or targets, but Robert Saleh himself isn't concerned with Tate because of the play-calling not being engineered to him.

If Saleh isn't concerned, that's a reliable tell that Titans fans shouldn't be, either.

Tennessee Isn't Scheming for Tate Just Yet

Saleh confirmed this after last night's win over the Seattle Seahawks, adding an extra layer of comfort on the subject of Tate specifically: "When it's time to scheme, we'll get guys the rock."

That may seem like a smokescreen to the more pessimistic contingent in Nashville, but it makes enough sense from Tennessee's perspective. Tate will have all year to make an impact as a starter, and he's already shown plenty of chemistry in their system with Ward in camp.

The preseason so far has been more about the Titans' position battles than anything else, especially on offense. It's less about whether or not Tate will be WR1 material out of the gate, and more focused on guys like Bryce Oliver and Xavier Restrepo fighting for a spot at the bottom of that rotation.

All Eyes Should be on the Titans' Regular Season

Regarding Tate's trajectory, fans should have their eyes firmly trained on Sep. 13. When the Titans host Saleh's former team in Nashville that Sunday, the expectation for Tate to show out will eventually be in order.

That will be because, we can assume, the staff will be drawing up plays to get him open. You can trust that Tennessee didn't draft the arguable top receiver in the class to bury him downfield, even if he spends much of the season second to Wan'Dale Robinson.

Tate's time to prove himself in this offense will come sooner rather than later. Just because that time isn't right now doesn't mean that we need to doubt the rookie's long-term potential.