Tag: Will Levis

Titans’ Will Levis has faced the top pass defenses early in 2024

The Tennessee Titans have struggled on offense, and there schedule may be part of the reason why.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is fighting through the injured AC Joint in his right shoulder as the team prepares to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. 

Even after backup Mason Rudolph came in after Levis’ injury and led the Titans to their Week 4 victory against the Miami Dolphins, Callahan has said many times that Levis is the unquestioned starter. If he is healthy, he should be the starter, and he has the confidence of head coach Brian Callahan behind him.

Levis has had a rocky 2024, to say the least. Plagued by constant pressure, ill-timed turnovers and poor decisions, it is easy to envision why some are down on the second-year signal caller. But his numbers completing 68.4% of his passes for 604 yards with four touchdown passes and six interceptions are not that bad. While not a great number, his six interceptions have him tied with Patrick Maholmes for the season. 

Levis and the Titans have also not had a passer-friendly match-up in their first four games. According to statistics, the team has faced the toughest pass defenses in the league through this stretch. While this is no reason to explain some of the errant throws and dismal decisions, there is a reason for optimism in Levis moving forward. 

With solid weapons on the outside and a developing rushing attack, Levis has a chance to turn the page and improve coming off the bye. Of course, the right side of the offensive line will play a huge role in that. 

Everyone will find out on Sunday when the Titans return to Nissan Stadium to face the Colts in an AFC South match-up.

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Titans injury report: Jeffery Simmons returns, Jamal Adams sits out

The Tennessee Titans released their injury report for their Week 6 match-up with the Indianapolis Colts and saw their star defensive tackle return.

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field on Thursday in preparation for their Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts and saw multiple players increase their workload.

After seeing six players out or limited on Wednesday, they saw the majority return for full practice on Thursday. This is great news for DT Jeffery Simmons, who missed the Week 4 match-up with the Dolphins and was limited by his elbow injury. 

Joining Simmons in returning was WR Treylon Burks, WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB L’Jarius Sneed.

The Titans still have nine players listed on their injury report, but only S Jamal Adams (hip) and DT Keondre Coburn (knee) did not practice in any capacity.

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: S Jamal Adams (hip), Keondre Coburn (knee)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: WR DeAndre Hopkins (NIR), DT Jeffery Simmons (elbow), CN L’Jarius Sneed (NIR), QB Will Levis (shoulder), LB Ernest Jones (elbow), LB Cedric Gray (shoulder), Treylon Burks (NIR)

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Titans injury report: Will Levis practices, Jeffery Simmons limited

The Tennessee Titans released their first Week 6 injury report and see their young quarterback return to the field.

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field to start preparing for their Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and it provided an opportunity to see where several of the team’s injured players are.

https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/1844117114493468955

All eyes were on quarterback Will Levis and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Levis, who injured his shoulder against the Miami Dolphins in their Week 4 victory, was a full participant and is working toward being available. Simmons was not as fortunate; he was a limited participant with his elbow injury.

The Titans have nine players listed on their injury report, but only safety Jamal Adams (hip), wide receiver Treylon Burks (NIR) and defensive tackle Keondre Coburn (knee) did not practice in any capacity.

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: S Jamal Adams (hip), WR Treylon Burks (NIR), Keondre Coburn (knee)

Limited participant: WR DeAndre Hopkins (NIR), DT Jeffery Simmons (elbow), CB L’Jarius Sneed (NIR)

Full participant: QB Will Levis (shoulder), LB Ernest Jones (elbow), LB Cedric Gray (shoulder)

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Titans’ Brian Callahan stands by Will Levis: ‘If he’s healthy, he’s going to play’

Titans head coach Brian Callahan is sticking by quarterback Will Levis, saying, “If he’s healthy, he’s going to play.”

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has not had a good start to the 2024 season. He leads all quarterbacks in interceptions thrown with six. Patrick Mahomes and Anthony Richardson share that spot with him, but Levis was on bye this week and they weren’t. Levis’ 72.8 rating also lands him among the bottom of all starting quarterbacks in the league.

On top of this, Levis has been sacked 15 times this season, more than all but a handful of starting quarterbacks. And still, head coach Brian Callahan says that Levis is the starter when he’s healthy.

Through three games and part of a fourth, Levis has gone 67-for-98 through the air for 604 yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions. His QBR puts him second-to-last in the league, above only Deshaun Watson.

Suffice it to say that Levis’ 2024 campaign has been ugly, which makes it confusing why Callahan would continue to start him.

But here’s the thing: what if Callahan isn’t as blind as we think he is? His quote was, “If he’s good to go, then he’s going to play.” And while Levis is expected to practice this week, what if Callahan leans on that injury to keep Levis on the bench?

He said what he said to appear as if he backed his quarterback, the quarterback he selected to be the starter for 2024. No head coach wants to bail on the guy they thought would lead their team, but sometimes you have to admit when a mistake is made. Maybe Callahan will keep Levis on the bench with his shoulder injury for another week and let Mason Rudolph run the offense again.

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Like candy, this is a sweet spot for Titans QB Will Levis

Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis has been up-and-down in the first four weeks of 2024, but there is an area where he has been quite good.

With the Tennessee Titans in their bye week, it was a good time to look back at the first four games and embrace some of the things that led them to their 1-3 record.

One of the biggest and most polarizing topics has been QB Will Levis and his development or lack thereof. For many fans (and pundits), Levis has underachieved, which is why their record is what it is. 

Yes, he has made a handful of mindless mistakes and cringe-worthy plays. And for those, he must be called out. But is Levis the real reason the team sits at 1-3? No, he is not and his production has been better than many believe.

In looking at those numbers, Levis seems to excel at intermediate throws, especially when he is not under constant pressure. Between the offensive line struggle and play calling, Levis has not been nearly as bad as the inept highlight reel plays would indicate. 

Mason Rudolph came in and performed very well against the Miami Dolphins after Levis injured his shoulder, but that was in more of a game manager role. If the Titans could establish a running game like they did in that game, Levis, too would succeed. 

Fans must remember that Levis is a young quarterback playing in a new system and will make mistakes. That is exactly why head coach Brian Callahan has stated he will return to Levis when he is healthy. The reality is, Levis has to play. Not only do the Titans need to determine who he will be as a quarterback, they need to ensure they have a plan in place if he fails to develop. 

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Hall of Famer Kurt Warner defends Will Levis’ interception

Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis threw another interception against the Dolphins and again Hall of Famer Kurt Warner breaks down the play.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis injured his shoulder in the first quarter of their 31-12 Monday night win over the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, he also threw another interception before exiting the game. 

Ironically, for the second week in a row, a Hall of Fame quarterback has again come to his defense for an interception and broke down the play. 

Warner does a great job breaking down the read and the pass. He also explains what is transpiring at every level of the defense. As he points out, he is not defending Levis overall; he is just detailing this snapshot in time. Warner also states the simple fact that young quarterbacks are facing more athletic defenses, and it takes time to develop. 

It’s true that Mason Rudolph looked calm in the pocket and didn’t force the ball after taking over. But, Rudolph is an experienced veteran and has enough snaps under his belt to recognize certain coverages. The jury is still out on whether Levis will develop or not, but he has to play to gain that experience. 

Head coach Brian Callahan has stated that Levis will return to the lineup when healthy, but after watching Rudolph against the Dolphins, they will likely not rush Levis back until he is close to 100 percent. 

Will he return against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6? Everyone will have to wait until after the bye week to find out. 

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Titans’ Levis has sprained AC Joint, expected to return Week 6

The Tennessee Titans have received some good news on the injury front pertaining to QB Will Levis, who injured his shoulder Monday Night.

The Tennessee Titans finally got their first win Monday night with a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins behind Mason Rudolph, who took over from an injured Will Levis in the first quarter. 

With head coach Brian Callahan declaring Levis the starter once healthy, the question becomes when exactly that will be. After receiving an MRI on his ailing shoulder, there is some clarity. 

According to reports, Levis suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. The injury should not cause him to miss an extended period, and the Titans expect him to be available after their Week 5 bye. Of course, all of this is speculation at this point, and Levis could be limited or show signs of continued discomfort as practice resumes next week for their Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. 

If he can’t go, Rudolph would get the first start of his Titans career. Against Miami, Rudolph proved he was in control of the offense. However, it was a run-heavy approach after the Levis injury and that was enough against a depleted Dolphins roster. 

One thing is certain: All eyes will be on the Titans when they release their first Week 6 injury report on Wednesday.

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Baldy Breakdown: The tale of two Titans quarterbacks

Brian Baldinger breaks down the distinct difference between Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Following the Tennessee Titans’ first victory of the season, NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger broke down a couple of plays that demonstrated a major difference between quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph came in for the injured Levis and took control of the offense. While it wasn’t a prolific performance, he did what was needed for the Titans to pull out a much-needed win.

Head coach Brian Callahan has already stated that he is going back to Levis when healthy. When he gets back in there, it’s plays like these that Baldy has outlined that can make a huge difference to the success of the offense.

While Levis has had some shaky offensive line play during the first three weeks, that is not the case in this example and it shows that he is not decisive in the pocket. In this instance, his indecision led him to an injury instead of a turnover.

These plays outline the difference between a young quarterback and a veteran who understands defenses and where to go with the ball.

Rudolph was calm and stood in the pocket, while Levis seemed to bail on the pocket and not trust his protection. He is young and lacks the experience of Rudolph, but this simple concept is a staple of every offense across the league and it’s plays like this and that can be the difference between a win and a loss.

The Titans are on their bye week and have a chance to regroup. During the process, Levis must work on the small things. As they found out on Monday night, the small details and basic throws led to victory.

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QB Will Levis ‘should be fine’ when Titans return from bye week

After sustaining a shoulder injury against the Dolphins, Titans’ QB Will Levis is set to return after the bye week.

The Tennessee Titans grabbed their first win on Monday, defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-12. Starting quarterback Will Levis went down with a shoulder injury after diving in an attempt to get a first down. It was midway through the first quarter, but Levis did not return.

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Mason Rudolph stepped in and helped lead the Titans to their first win of the season. Head coach Brian Callahan has already stated that Levis will return to the field when he’s healthy. While we’re note 100% certain when that will be, it looks like he should be okay to return after the bye week.

“They’re still undergoing tests, still trying to figure out how serious this injury is,” Rapoport says. “It doesn’t sound overly serious, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be able to play, it’s not next week because they have a bye, but the following week. They’re still trying to figure out when Will Levis is going to be 100% and on the field, but they were very clear. Brian Callahan was clear last night and again today that Will Levis is his starter 100%.”

He goes on to discuss what might have been going through Callahan’s head during the game on Monday, ending by saying, “We will see how this goes from here. Yes, it is clear that Levis is their starter when healthy, it’s just not absolutely clear when that’s going to be.”

Callahan is sticking by Levis despite fans and analysts agreeing that Levis could benefit from watching Rudolph and learning for a while. But as long as he’s healthy, Levis is going to be the guy. For now.

Titans’ Rudolph humble, ready if called upon

After leading the Tennessee Titans to a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins, QB Mason Rudoph took to the podium to share his thoughts.

After leading the Tennessee Titans to a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, QB Mason Rudolph took to the podium to speak with the media. 

Yes, Rudolph was more of a game manager after coming in for Will Levis, who injured his shoulder in the first quarter, but he did everything the Titans needed to get their first win of 2024 and the first victory for head coach Brian Callahan. To Rudolph, that accomplishment was bigger than his performance. 

“Felt great to win, always feels great to win,” Rudolph said, “To get Cally (Callahan) his first, a big one, in primetime football, it’s always great to celebrate in the locker room.” 

When the Titans signed Rudolph to back up Levis in the offseason, they got exactly what they expected: a seasoned veteran who can step in and lead the team when called upon. In this game, which was a lot closer than the final score indicated, the Titans needed a clean performance to secure their first win, and that is what they got. 

With the running game taking over in the second half, Rudolph did not have to play the hero and, in turn, did not make any critical mistake that has doomed the offense during the first three weeks of the season. He pointed this out by giving all the credit to the running backs and offensive line. 

“I thought we ran the ball really well. I didn’t do a whole lot,” he continued “we mauled them upfront, moved the ball, controlled the ball in the second half.”

The Titans’ running game complemented their stout defense, and they came out on top. This is a formula that they should be able to build upon moving forward, with or without Rudolph at the helm. 

The Titans are entering their bye week and will not return to the field until Week 6, giving Levis time to rest and heal his ailing shoulder. If healthy, he will be the starter. At least for now, the Titans know they can win with Rudolph as quarterback, and he will be ready if needed.

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