Cam Ward avoided injuries throughout his rookie season until midway through Week 18. An injury to his throwing shoulder left the Titans without their starting quarterback to close out the campaign. 
Further testing took place on Monday in Ward’s case. An AC joint sprain was confirmed, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. As veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharksy notes, it is unclear at this point if the injury is indeed a Grade 3 strain as was indicated yesterday. In any event, the team is viewing today’s updates as the best-case scenario.
It has been recommended to Ward that he avoid undergoing surgery. When speaking to the media on Monday, the 2025 No. 1 pick said (via Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com) he is not certain at this point if he will have a procedure. Ward does not believe one will be necessary, though. With that matter still unclear at the moment, no firm timeline is in place.
For now, Ward’s attention will turn to rehabbing the injury. The 23-year-old will look to heal in full prior to the offseason program while preparing for his second year in Tennessee. It remains to be seen who his coach will be, but Ward will be expected to build off the momentum generated over the closing stages of the campaign. After throwing one interception in six straights games through September and October, he was picked off only once more the rest of the way.
Ward posted a passer rating of 80.2 and was sacked a league-leading 55 times in 2025. That illustrates the need for further improvement on offense – especially up front – along with development from the Washington State and Miami product. It remains to be seen if the necessary steps forward will be taken in 2026, but at least a lengthy recovery process will not be needed.