Cowboys to face QB Joshua Dobbs eight days after signing with Titans

The Titans will give the journeyman QB the Week 17 start over highly-touted rookie Malik Willis, who has not been impressive thus far. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys figured to be squaring off against a relatively inexperienced quarterback when they visit Nashville. But it turns out they’ll face someone with even less of an NFL body of work than the rookie they were expecting.

Tennessee will reportedly start newly-signed Joshua Dobbs at quarterback over third-round draft pick Malik Willis. That news comes from Justin Melo of The Draft Network just hours before the two teams’ Week 17 kickoff.

Dobbs was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers in 2017. He was with Pittsburgh for two full seasons, seeing action in five games before being traded to Jacksonville early in the 2019 campaign. After a year on the sideline, he was waived by the Jaguars and re-claimed by the Steelers. He got into the 2021 season finale for some limited snaps, his most recent paying time in the league. Dobbs started the 2022 season with Cleveland but was waived in late November upon Deshaun Watson’s return from suspension, then spent a few weeks on Detroit’s practice squad, and finally signed on to the Titans’ practice squad on Dec. 21.

Eight days later, it appears the ex-Tennessee Volunteer will be making his first-pro start for the Titans in a primetime matchup against Dallas and their top-10 pass defense.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has been complimentary of the 27-year-old’s work in getting a quick grasp on the playbook; offensive coordinator Todd Downing said just this week that “he’d be confident in using Dobbs if necessary … albeit with a pared-down scheme.”

Willis, the highly-touted rookie out of Liberty University, had been expected to make his fourth NFL start, filling in for veteran Ryan Tannehill, who is out with an ankle injury.

But if Willis is the Titans’ long-term plan at quarterback, he hasn’t done much to stake a strong claim on the job beyond this year. He is currently 31-of-61 passing for just 276 yards in eight game appearances. He has yet to throw an NFL touchdown, but has dealt three interceptions to opponents. Willis’s calling card is his dual-threat nature as a runner; he has 123 yards and one score on the ground on 27 attempts.

The career statline on Dobbs: 10-for-17, 45 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 39.1 passer rating, 6 rushing attempts, 31 rushing yards.

[listicle id=707919]

[vertical-gallery id=707893]

[listicle id=707908]

[lawrence-newsletter]

Joshua Dobbs likely to start at QB for Titans against Cowboys

The Titans are starting Joshua Dobbs against Dallas

The Tennessee Titans are apparently moving on to another quarterback.

Ryan Tannehill is injured. Rookie Malik Willis has not cut it.

So, as the Titans get ready to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, Mike Vrabel is ready to hand the offense to Joshua Dobbs.

The Titans remain in the race for the AFC South crown with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the quarterback situation has become dire as the team slides each week.

It would mark Dobbs’ first career start. He has thrown 17 passes since entering the league in 2017, completing 10 for 45 yards and one interception.

Dobbs was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. He has bounced from team to team during his NFL career.

 

The Titans have signed QB Joshua Dobbs off the Lions practice squad

Dobbs’ departure leaves the Lions with just two QBs once again

According to his agent, Lions practice squad quarterback Joshua Dobbs has signed with the Tennessee Titans to that team’s active roster. Mike McCartney tweeted out congratulations to Dobbs on the signing on Wednesday morning.

Dobbs wasn’t in Detroit for long. He signed with the practice squad on December 5th, following Tim Boyle’s departure to Chicago’s active roster. He was elevated for the Week 15 matchup against the Jets but did not play.

Because he was signed to the Titans active roster, Dobbs must remain in Tennessee for at least the next three weeks.

The move leaves the Lions with just two quarterbacks: Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld. Expect another practice squad quarterback to be added as soon as today.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx8sj47vkwrznr player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Joshua Dobbs signs with Detroit

Former Vol Joshua Dobbs signs with Detroit.

Former Vol Joshua Dobbs signed with Detroit.

He will be part of the Lions’ practice squad. Dobbs was released by Cleveland Nov. 28.

Dobbs played for the Vols from 2013-16 and recorded 53 passing touchdowns as a four-year starting quarterback.

He led Tennessee to consecutive nine-win seasons and two postseason victories from 2015-16.

Dobbs was the MVP of the Music City Bowl in 2016.

He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by Pittsburgh (No. 135).

The former Vol played for the Steelers (2017-19, 2020-21), Jacksonville (2019) and Cleveland (2022).

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=42442]

Broncos bring in CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke for a visit

After scoring 32 TDs in 10 CFL games this spring, quarterback Nathan Rourke is set to visit the Broncos on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos’ personnel team has had a busy few weeks evaluating quarterback.

Last month, the Broncos brought in QB Jarrett Guarantano for a tryout. Denver then hosted QB Joshua Dobbs for a tryout last week. After losing Josh Johnson to the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos signed Guarantano to their practice squad on Monday.

Now a third quarterback is on his way to Denver.

The Broncos are set to host Canadian Football League quarterback Nathan Rourke on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Rourke (6-1, 210 pounds) spent one year playing JUCO football at Fort Scott before transferring to Ohio University. After leading the Bobcats to three-straight bowl wins, Rourke went undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft.

Rourke tried out for the New York Giants as a wide receiver but was not signed. He then turned to the CFL. The BC Lions held the QB’s CFL rights after using a second-round pick to select him in the league’s 2020 draft.

Rourke started two games for the Lions in 2021 before becoming the team’s full-time starter ahead of the 2022 season. He completed 78.7% of his passes for 3,349 yards with 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 10 games with the Lions in the spring. Rourke also added 304 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground to his CFL totals.

Russell Wilson seems poised to finish out the year as the Broncos’ starter with Brett Rypien serving as the backup and Guarantano providing depth on the practice squad. So Rourke is likely being considered as a reserve/future contract candidate.

NFL teams can sign players who are not on active rosters to reserve/future contracts at the conclusion of their season. For Denver, that will be Jan. 9.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Lions sign QB Joshua Dobbs to the practice squad

Dobbs, a 2017 4th-round pick by the Steelers, replaces Tim Boyle on the practice squad

There is a third quarterback in Detroit once again. After working out free agent Joshua Dobbs late last week, the Lions are signing Dobbs to the practice squad.

Mike Klis of 9News was the first to report the signing. Klis covers the Denver Broncos, who also wanted to sign Dobbs. The veteran instead heads to Detroit. He will be the No. 3 quarterback in Detroit behind Jared Goff and backup Nate Sudfeld, who has not played in 2022.

Dobbs fills the practice squad vacancy created when the Chicago Bears signed Tim Boyle to their active roster last week. The 27-year-old Dobbs was released by the Cleveland Browns when that team activated QB Deshaun Watson.

Originally a fourth-round pick out of Tennessee by the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2017, Dobbs has just 17 career pass attempts in six games, almost all of that with the 2018 Steelers.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx8sj47vkwrznr player_id=none image=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Broncos lose practice squad QB Josh Johnson to 49ers

After losing Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers signed Josh Johnson off the Broncos’ practice squad.

After losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending foot injury, the San Francisco 49ers are turning the offense over to rookie Brock Purdy.

Purdy began the year as the team’s third-string QB behind Trey Lance and Garaoppolo. He is now QB1 in San Francisco, so the 49ers turned to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad to add more depth at the position.

The Niners are signing backup quarterback Josh Johnson off Denver’s practice squad to their 53-man roster, according to multiple reports.

That leaves the Broncos with two quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and his backup, Brett Rypien. Denver will now likely consider adding a third quarterback to the practice squad to fill Johnson’s old spot.

The Broncos might have signed Joshua Dobbs, who worked out for the team last week, but the Detroit Lions beat them to him. Another candidate could be Jarrett Guarantano, who tried out for the team last month.

The Carolina Panthers are set to part ways with Baker Mayfield, so he could be an experienced backup option, but Mayfield will likely draw a lot of interest, perhaps even from the 49ers.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos tried out 4 players last week, including a quarterback

The Broncos tried out QB Joshua Dobbs and three wide receivers on Friday.

The Denver Broncos brought in three wide receivers and a quarterback for tryouts last week.

Javon McKinley (Notre Dame), Malik Taylor (Ferris State) and Connor Wedington (Stanford) tried out as receivers and Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee) took reps at quarterback, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. 

Dobbs (6-3, 216 pounds) entered the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. After three years with the Steelers, he had a one-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars before returning to the Steelers in 2020. After spending the 2021 season on injured reserve, Dobbs signed with the Cleveland Browns earlier this year.

Dobbs served as a backup with the Browns this season while Deshaun Watson served his suspension after allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Cleveland waived Dobbs last week after Watson returned to the active roster.

Dobbs has appeared in six games in his career but is yet to start in a regular-season game. In relief appearances, he has completed 10-of-17 passes for 45 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Dobbs has also rushed six times for 31 yards in the NFL.

Dobbs and the three receivers that tried out for Denver are likely being considered as end-of-season reserve/future contract candidates.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Lions bring in veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs for visit

Dobbs was released by the Browns last week

The Detroit Lions met with quarterback Joshua Dobbs earlier today, per the NFL transaction wire.

Just three days ago, quarterback Tim Boyle was signed by the Chicago Bears off of Detroit’s practice squad, leaving a vacancy at the position.

Dobbs would be a good fit to fill that role as a practice squad quarterback for the Lions. A six-year NFL veteran, Dobbs spent a good majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers while also spending a short time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He most recently was with the Cleveland Browns, but was waived five days ago to coincide with their activation of Deshaun Watson.

Dobbs has only appeared in six NFL games, all of which were with the Steelers. In 39 career snaps, he completed 10-of-17 passes for 45 yards along with one interception. He also rushed six times for 31 yards.

As of now, there is no news on whether or not Dobbs will sign with the Lions. The former fourth-rounder out of Tennessee also met with the Denver Broncos earlier this week.

After working out for Broncos, Joshua Dobbs visits with Lions

After being waived by the Browns, quarterback Joshua Dobbs has been busy, visiting both the Broncos and Lions.

Yesterday, quarterback Joshua Dobbs was working out for the Denver Broncos. While there has not been any movement on a contract from the Broncos, Dobbs was on the move again today. After being waived by the Cleveland Browns to make room for Deshaun Watson on the active roster, Dobbs has now visited with the Detroit Lions as well.

The Browns would like to stash Dobbs back on their practice squad, but it seems as though he is trying his best to land an active roster gig elsewhere. It has been less than a week since his release, so there is still a chance Dobbs does not get a bite and lands back in Cleveland.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=none image=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=81735]