Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was evaluated for a concussion after taking a hit from Chicago Bears safety Xavier Woods during Thursday’s joint practice. (Image via Getty)
Robinson signed a four-year, $70 million contract with Tennessee this offseason, making him a significant part of the Titans’ plans. 13 season opener against the New York Jets approaching, Tennessee has to wait for more clarity on his condition. Wan’Dale Robinson was supposed to finish training camp preparing for his first season with the Tennessee Titans. Instead, one hit in a joint practice with the Chicago Bears left him being evaluated for a concussion. That changes the focus quickly. Now, with the Sept. Robinson took a hard hit from Bears safety Xavier Woods during Thursday’s joint practice after working over the middle of the field.
Tennessee committed four years and $70 million to the receiver this offseason. His arrival made him one of their most notable additions heading into the 2026 season. 13, giving Robinson just over two weeks between the joint practice and Week 1.
I don’t encourage throwing punches or fighting or anything like that, but if cheap shots are taken on our guys, it’s unacceptable for us. ” Titans Wire’s Mark Mihalko also reported Saleh’s immediate update after practice.
Citing ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Robinson walked off under his own power and was evaluated for a concussion afterward, according to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “It was cheap,” Saleh said, according to Davenport. “That’s Teach Tape 101 in terms of what not to do in a thud practice and a thud period,” Skoronski said. “We’re checking Wan’Dale for a concussion,” Saleh said.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh did not hide his opinion of the play. The reaction from Tennessee came immediately. Offensive linemen Austin Schlottmann and Peter Skoronski confronted Woods after the hit, and players from both teams became involved in the ensuing skirmish. Woods also played for Tennessee last season, adding another layer to an already heated moment between the two teams. Skoronski explained why the Titans reacted so strongly. “You can’t have guys like Wan’Dale going down like that, and hits like that aren’t necessary. I get (that) we’re being competitive. I get (that) DBs are physical and stuff like that, but that’s totally uncalled for in a practice thing like this. We defend our teammates, man. For now, that is the key fact. Robinson was being evaluated. The available reports did not establish how much, if any, time he will miss. That distinction matters. A concussion evaluation does not automatically mean Robinson will miss Tennessee’s opener, and there is no basis yet to predict a return date. Robinson’s contract makes his status more important than a normal late-August injury update. The Titans did not make that investment for Robinson to occupy a minor role. That is why Thursday’s hit matters beyond the fight that followed it. The Titans open the regular season against the Jets on Sept. His concussion evaluation now becomes something Tennessee will have to monitor as it finishes preseason preparations.
That does not mean the hit will have a lasting effect. It means the timing is poor for a player entering his first season with a new team. The response from his teammates showed how seriously Tennessee viewed the play.
Any missed practice time could also reduce Robinson’s remaining opportunities to work within a new offense before the games begin.
Until that happens, however, one hit that Saleh immediately labeled “cheap” has created an unwanted question around a $70 million addition less than three weeks before the season begins. Joint practices are designed to give teams competitive work against unfamiliar opponents without the stakes of a regular-season game. Skoronski’s point was straightforward: Physicality is expected, but players still need to understand the limits of the practice period. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines For Tennessee, the confrontation is secondary now. Robinson’s health is the issue that actually carries into September. The Titans spent heavily to make him part of their offense. If he clears the concussion evaluation without further issues, Thursday becomes an ugly training-camp moment that Tennessee can move past. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.