National Football League

Titans start fast and beat Dolphins 21-10

Published Sep. 1, 2016 11:53 p.m. ET

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey decided his starters should play one series Thursday, and for the defense, that meant a single snap.

The Titans forced and recovered a fumble on the game's first play, setting up a touchdown as they beat Miami 21-10 in the Dolphins' remodeled stadium.

Tennessee defensive end DaQuan Jones jarred the ball loose from Jay Ajayi, and Rashad Johnson recovered. Three plays later, rookie Derrick Henry scored on a 1-yard run, and that was the last action for almost all Titans first-teamers.

The game gave spectators their first chance to check out the $500 million renovation of the Dolphins' stadium, including a canopy and new video boards. Not many fans took advantage, though - the crowd totaled perhaps 20,000, meaning it was less than one-third full.

Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill didn't play. Most of the Dolphins' starters were held out, and coaches on both teams used the game to evaluate players trying to make the roster.

The Titans finished the exhibition season 3-1, and the Dolphins went 2-2. Both teams open the regular season Sept. 11, with Miami at Seattle, and Tennessee hosting Minnesota.

ROOKIE WATCH

Dolphins: G Laremy Tunsil, their first-round pick and a likely starter, didn't play. RB Kenyan Drake had a 33-yard reception.

Titans: Heisman Trophy winner Henry carried seven times for 62 yards, including a 26-yard run.

POSITION BATTLES

Miami: Ajayi had three carries for 13 yards and dropped a pass to go along with his fumble. He may lose the starting job to Arian Foster, who didn't play. CB Tony Lippett, battling rookie Xavien Howard for a starting job, had a first-quarter interception. Howard made his preseason debut.

Tennessee: RB Bishop Sankey, a 2014 second-round pick fighting for a roster spot, didn't get a carry until the second half. S Kevin Byard, a third-round pick making a bid for playing time, had an interception in the end zone. Alex Tanney, trying to make the team as the third QB, went 15 for 18 for 158 yards with two interceptions.

INJURY UPDATE

Dolphins: Reserve LB Mike Hull left the game in the first half with a hip injury.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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