Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Tuesday that Levis (shoulder) will remain Tennessee's starting quarterback after the team's Week 5 bye, as long as he's healthy, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Callahan said "there's no controversy, no second guessing" regarding Levis' standing as QB1, despite the fact that Mason Rudolph competently piloted the Titans to a 31-12 win over the Dolphins on Monday as his replacement. Levis departed early due to a shoulder injury sustained as he dove for a first down. While he's still slated for an MRI, Callahan said the quarterback is currently only sore, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, and that his difficulty throwing on the sideline Monday informed the team's decision not to have him re-enter the game. Levis will benefit from an extra week of rest before the team faces the Bills in Week 6.
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Titans' Will Levis: Slated for MRI
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Levis (shoulder) is expected to undergo an MRI after being unable to return to Monday's game against the Dolphins, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.
When he's healthy, Levis is expected to remain Tennessee's starter under center, according to head coach Brian Callahan. Levis went down early in Monday's contest due to a right shoulder injury and subsequently was replaced by Mason Rudolph, who led the team to a 31-12 victory. More clarity on Levis' status may come following the results of his MRI.
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Titans' Will Levis: Departs with shoulder injury
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Levis exited Monday's game at Miami due to a right shoulder injury and is questionable to return, John Glennon of NashvillePost.com reports.
On the Titans' second possession of Week 4, Levis scrambled for three yards and then was seen having his right shoulder looked at on the sideline. He made some throws before backup Mason Rudolph took over for Levis on the team's next drive, and Levis visited the medical tent before he was seen on the bench with a team trainer.
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Titans' Will Levis: More mistakes in loss
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Levis completed 26 of 34 passes for 260 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Sunday's 30-14 loss to the Packers. He also lost a fumble.
Levis put together by far his most competent performance of the season from an efficiency perspective by averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. He completed four passes of at least 20 yards -- all to different receivers -- half of which came before the game was decided, and he also recorded multiple touchdowns for the first time in the campaign. On the other hand, mistakes continue to plague him, as he turned the ball over three total times, highlighted by a pick-six. Despite now having eight turnovers in three games, coach Brian Callahan committed to Levis as the starting quarterback moving forward, per Turron Davenport of ESPN.com.
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Titans' Will Levis: Pedestrian passing in loss
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Levis completed 19 of 28 passes for 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding four carries for 38 yards in the Titans' 24-17 loss to the Jets on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Levis was frequently under pressure while taking four sacks and and additional pair of official QB hits, and he had trouble consistently connecting with any receiver not named Calvin Ridley. Levis hit Ridley for a game-long 40-yard pass that also served as his only touchdown toss of the afternoon, but other than that game-tying play, the second-year signal-caller struggled with getting the ball downfield. Levis' contributions as a rusher were a welcome complement to his fantasy production, yet his pair of turnovers, which came in back-to-back possessions on the second quarter, both occurred deep in New York territory. Levis will aim to atone for a lackluster first two games in Brian Callahan's offense when Tennessee and the Packers face off in Week 3.
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Titans' Will Levis: Throws backbreaking pick
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Levis completed 19 of 32 passes for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Bears. He added four rushes for 36 yards.
The Titans started quickly, limiting what Levis was asked to do in the first half as he attempted only 15 passes. He did manage his lone touchdown of the day late in the second quarter, a 17-yard connection with Chigoziem Okonkwo. The Bears made a run in the second half, which in turn forced Levis to the air more often and led to mistakes. The worst came midway through the fourth quarter when Levis attempted to escape pressure and desperately flung the ball toward the sidelines and into the waiting arms of Tyrique Stevenson for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. It wasn't the start to the season that Levis was looking for, as he averaged only 4.0 yards per attempt and completed just two passes for more than 20 yards.
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Titans' Will Levis: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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I love the setup for the second-year quarterback, who got upgraded weapons (Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and Tyler Boyd), an upgraded offensive line and better coaching. By the end of the season, Levis could be a top-12 quarterback in all leagues.
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Titans' Will Levis: Sharp in two-drive tune-up
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Levis completed seven of eight passes for 118 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.
Levis hit on his first seven passes before overthrowing Calvin Ridley in the end zone on the second drive, leading to a field goal after Tony Pollard capped the first possession with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The pair of successful possessions came against the Saints' defensive backups, but it was still an encouraging dress rehearsal for Levis and the first-team offense heading into the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bears.
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Titans' Will Levis: Expected to start preseason finale
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Titans coach Brian Callahan said Sunday that he's currently planning for the team's starters, which should include Levis, to play in the preseason finale versus New Orleans on Sunday, Aug. 25, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Callahan added that he'd "like to see our starting offense play somewhere in the 3-ish series" against the Saints, per Wyatt. Levis played the first two drives of Tennessee's preseason opener and then was held out along with a group of the team's key starters in Saturday's exhibition against Seattle.
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Titans' Will Levis: Not slated to play Saturday
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The Titans' key starters -- a group that includes Levis -- are not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Seahawks, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Per Wyatt, Malik Willis will get the start at QB versus Seattle, while Levis, who logged 14 snaps in Tennessee's preseason opener, is slated to be held out. It remains to be seen if Levis will take the field in the team's exhibition finale Sunday, Aug 25 against the Saints, but if not, his next game action won't occur until his looming Week 1 start against the Bears.
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Titans' Will Levis: Gets new No. 1 WR as Henry departs
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Levis (foot) will enter the 2024 NFL season with new skill-position talent, headlined by Calvin Ridley being slated to join the Titans on a four-year, $92 million contract, and by Derrick Henry set to be replaced by Tony Pollard in the backfield, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.
Tennessee adding a hopeful true No. 1 wideout in Ridley is arguably just as impactful as Henry's tenure as the franchise face finally coming to an end. Ridley joins veteran DeAndre Hopkins, giving Levis two proven pass-catchers who both surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in 2023, allowing Treylon Burks to slide down to the No. 3 role and benefit from lesser defensive coverage. On paper, Levis now looks set to benefit from one of the best three-receiver groups in the league, while the recently re-signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a capable fourth man. Pollard, meanwhile, isn't nearly the between-the-tackles bruiser that Henry was, but he brings true three-down versatility and a skillset that's more interchangeable with second-year pro Tyjae Spears, allowing the Titans to swap both backs out freely without hinting at any specific playcall. Levis said in February at Super Bowl LVIII that he was already "close" to healthy, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site.
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Titans' Will Levis: Gets offensive-minded head coach
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Levis (foot) will work with new Titans head coach Brian Callahan in 2024, ESPN.com reports.
Levis seemingly did enough as a rookie to enter Year 2 as a starter, though it's still up in the air if he's a franchise QB or more of a low-end starter/high-end backup. The Titans likely want to build their offense around the 2023 second-round pick, following a half-decade of run-first attacks centered on impending free agent Derrick Henry. That's not to say Henry is automatically done in Tennessee, though the fit would be questionable under a coach whose five seasons as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati (2019-23) saw the Bengals rank no higher than 17th in rush attempts and 23rd in rushing yards. Levis is no Joe Burrow, of course, but the addition of a passing-game-focused head coach at least suggests the Titans want to figure out what they have in the young QB rather than trying to hide him and rely on other parts of the roster. It remains to be seen if the team's ensuing offseason moves continue in that direction, with rumors already swirling that Callahan could try to bring WR Tee Higgins over from Cincinnati (Higgins might have other ideas). The foot/ankle injuries Levis dealt with late in 2023 should clear up by this spring.
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Titans' Will Levis: Sidelined by foot injury
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Levis (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
It was announced earlier in the week that Levis would not be available to start, with veteran Ryan Tannehill instead getting the nod. Malik Willis will serve as the backup, meaning barring injuries to both quarterbacks, Levis will end his rookie season with and 8:4 TD:INT while averaging 7.1 yards per attempt across nine contests. His future role with the team remains uncertain, though there's a strong chance he'll be in the mix to be Tennessee's starter in 2024.
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Titans' Will Levis: Listed as questionable, won't start
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Levis (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after he was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday.
Per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, head coach Mike Vrabel announced after Friday's practice that Ryan Tannehill will draw the start in the team's season finale this weekend, while Levis is on track to be Tennessee's No. 3 quarterback. With that in mind, Malik Willis is slated to be Tannehill's top backup Sunday. Unless he's needed in relief, Levis will finish his rookie season with 149 completions on 255 attempts (58.4 percent) for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions to go with 57 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries over nine appearances.
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Titans' Will Levis: Limited in return to practice
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Levis (foot) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
After missing Tennessee's Week 16 loss to Seattle with a left ankle sprain, Levis returned to the lineup for the Titans' 26-3 loss to the Texans this past Sunday, only to exit early due to a right foot injury. The foot injury seems to be less of a concern than the previous ankle issue, but Levis may still need to show improvement in Friday's practice before the Titans feel confident in having him start Sunday's season finale versus the Jaguars. If the rookie is unable to play Sunday or is available only in a backup capacity, veteran Ryan Tannehill would draw the start in his place.
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Titans' Will Levis: Unlikely to practice Wednesday
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Levis (foot) isn't expected to participate in practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Levis' status for Sunday's season finale against the Jaguars remains cloudy, and with the Titans eliminated from playoff contention, the team is unlikely to push the rookie quarterback to play Week 18 if he's less than 100 percent healthy, If Levis is deemed unavailable this weekend, Ryan Tannehill would likely be in store for another turn as the Titans' starting signal-caller.
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Titans' Will Levis: Ruled out for rest of Week 17 game
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Levis (foot) has been ruled out for the second half of Sunday's game against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports. He completed two of six pass attempts for 16 yards and lost a fumble prior to departing the game.
Levis made his return to the lineup after missing the Titans' Week 16 loss to the Seahawks with a right ankle sprain, only to get carted to the locker room in the second quarter when the same leg got stepped on. The Titans could provide an updated diagnosis on Levis' foot issue after the game or sometime Monday, but given the recurring nature of the injury along with the fact that Tennessee is eliminated from playoff contention, the rookie quarterback could face an uphill battle to make it back for the Titans' Jan. 7 regular-season finale versus the Jaguars. Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback following Levis' exit and will direct the offense for the remainder of the game.
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Titans' Will Levis: Likely to practice Wednesday
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Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that he thinks Levis (ankle) will try to practice Wednesday, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
Vrabel added that Levis is feeling better after sitting out Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks with a right ankle sprain. If the rookie quarterback can upgrade to full practice participation by Friday, he should be in good position to reclaim starting duties from Ryan Tannehill for Sunday's game in Houston.
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Titans' Will Levis: Questionable for Sunday
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Head coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that Levis (ankle) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Wyatt previously relayed that Levis was stretching with his teammates prior to Friday's practice, though it isn't immediately clear if he participated in the session in any capacity. However, given the team's intention to list Levis as questionable for the Week 16 contest, he'll have a chance at being cleared to play through his right high-ankle sprain Sunday. If Levis isn't available, Ryan Tannehill would be in line for his first start since Week 6.
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Titans' Will Levis: Takes field Friday
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Levis (ankle) was spotted on the field taking part in stretching prior to Friday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Levis missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the quarterback's presence on the field Friday suggests that he could mix into drills during the Titans' final session of the week. The Titans will release their final Week 16 injury report later Friday, when it will be known whether Levis is ruled out in advance of Sunday's game against the Seahawks or carries a designation into the contest. If Levis can't play this weekend, Ryan Tannehill would be in store for his first start since Week 6.
