On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Titans have officially ruled out QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) for Week 9 vs. the Steelers. Rookie QB Will Levis will get the start. We'd already expected Levis to see the field on Thursday night, so this news doesn't really come as much of a shock. The former Kentucky signal-caller performed well in his NFL debut in Week 8, tossing 238 passing yards and 4 TDs against the Falcons. He'll be hard-pressed to repeat that showing against a much tougher Steelers defense. See where Levis slots in our latest QB rankings.
The Titans are expected to start QB Will Levis on Thursday night against the Steelers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. QB Ryan Tannehill reportedly needs more time to work past his high-ankle sprain. And Levis, of course, just finished throwing 4 TD passes in his NFL debut. So this report comes as no surprise. Check back Tuesday afternoon to see where Levis lands in our Week 9 QB rankings.
In his first career NFL start, Titans QB Will Levis completed 19 of 29 passes for 238 yards with 4 TDs vs. the Falcons. The rookie split some reps with teammate Malik Willis, though his contributions came largely on the ground. Week 8 was essentially The Levis Show, and he shined through his rapport with WR DeAndre Hopkins, the recipient of 3 of the 4 scores thrown in the contest. Though it may be tough to trust Levis on a short week against the Steelers this coming Thursday, managers in 2QB or superflex leagues should make the first-year signal-caller a priority add off the waiver wire if he’s still available.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Titans QB Will Levis is expected to start and get the majority of the snaps vs. the Falcons on Sunday. "But [QB Malik] Willis will have packages and heavy involvement in the game plan," Fowler adds. "Could end up being roughly 75-25 as far as play time." We don't envision this going well for Tennessee. You should obviously avoid Titans QBs in all fantasy formats.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Falcons. HC Mike Vrabel said early in the week that he’d use both QB Will Levis and QB Malik Willis in this one, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Wednesday that Levis will be the “primary QB.” Regardless, you should try to avoid the entire Titans passing game in fantasy lineups this week.
Titans QB Will Levis is expected to start Sunday's game vs. the Falcons and be the "primary QB," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. HC Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that Levis and QB Malik Willis would play in that one, but it sounds like Willis might just have a small package of plays (likely runs). You should still avoid this situation in all fantasy leagues.
Titans HC Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that he anticipates both QBs Malik Willis and Will Levis playing vs. the Falcons this weekend if QB Ryan Tannehill is out. Vrabel wasn't ready to rule Tannehill out yet, but he seems unlikely to play after suffering a high-ankle sprain two weeks ago. Playing both Willis and Levis would be good for absolutely no one. You should try to avoid the Titans passing game in Week 8 fantasy lineups.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Tannehill gets a Week 7 bye "but could miss time," Fowler adds. We'll keep an eye on Tannehill when Tennesse gets back to work next week. HC Mike Vrabel wouldn't say Monday whether QB Malik Willis or QB Will Levis would start if Tannehill misses time.
Titans HC Mike Vrabel said Monday that QB Ryan Tannehill's right ankle injury is similar to the one he initially suffered last season that cost him two games. "We'll see how it goes," Vrabel said. "We have some time here before our next game, and Ryan will get treatment around the clock. This will be a big week to see how he progresses, and then we'll make a decision on his availability next week and what we do then." Tannehill gets a well-timed Week 7 bye, but it sounds like there's a chance he's not ready for Week 8. Vrabel didn't say whether QB Malik Willis or QB Will Levis will start if Tannehill is out. Neither is an inspiring option.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill completed just 16 of his 34 passes in Sunday's one-point loss at New Orleans. He tossed 3 INTs and took 3 sacks while throwing for just 198 yards. It's fair to wonder how many similar performances it would take for Tennessee to yank Tannehill and try a younger QB. Malik Willis was the backup for the opener but didn't enter the game. Rookie Will Levis was a healthy scratch. We'll see whether Tannehill can bounce back at home against the Chargers in Week 2. But he's clearly not a fantasy option anywhere you can help it.
Titans HC Mike Vrabel said Friday after the team's final preseason game that he hasn't seen enough yet to decide who will back up QB Ryan Tannehill. Malik Willis played nearly all of the game against New England. Will Levis has missed the past two games with a minor thigh injury. "As it stands now, with Will's availability, and we'll get him back this week," Vrabel said. "But I thought that Malik took a big step yesterday. Unfortunately, you have the turnovers, but there was a lot of cool stuff that happened after that. ... Malik has to make some better decisions and we'll see where Will's at this week." It seems like Tannehill is the only Tennessee QB worth paying attention to for 2023. We'll see who hits the season as No. 2 for dynasty and superflex purposes.
Titans rookie QB Will Levis warmed up ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings but sat out the contest because of a lower-body injury sustained in practice earlier in the week. The fact that they had him test it ahead of the game points to the issue being minor. Missing the game likely didn't help Levis in his competition with Malik Willis for the No. 2 role. Willis did nothing special with his opportunity, completing 10 of 17 passes for just 85 yards (5.0 per attempt). He threw for 1 TD and 1 INT. Willis also ran for 91 yards on 11 carries. That, of course, would be his primary avenue to fantasy upside if pressed into regular-season duty. Willis has seemed to be trending at least slightly ahead of Levis for the backup job to date. He's an interesting late pick in superflex fantasy football drafts.
NFL Network's Stacey Dales reports that the Titans will start QB Malik Willis in the preseason opener against the Bears on Saturday night. But she adds that Willis and Will Levis will alternate "every few series" throughout the game. That setup indicates that Willis is slightly ahead of Levis but that they're clearly competing for the No. 2 role behind Ryan Tannehill. It's a particularly interesting spot because Tannehill is 35 and in the final year of his contract. If Tennessee struggles this year -- which certainly seems possible -- the team could turn to a younger option on a trial basis. Levis has been going well ahead of Willis in superflex drafts this offseason. Tannehill is the only Tennessee QB we're considering outside of superflex best ball tournaments and dynasty leagues. Even he sits low in our 2023 QB rankings, though.
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill endured a rough 2022. Hurting his right ankle twice led to two stretches of missed games. When on the field, though, he played fine. His 65.2% completion rate remained in line with his career rate (64.3%). His 4.0% TD rate was below league average for starters but matched his 2021 number. His 1.8% TD rate was the second-lowest of his career. And Tannehill ranked a decent 18th in Pro Football Focus passing grade among 43 QBs with 150+ dropbacks. That followed rankings of 10th, seventh and third. Tannehill now heads into his age-35 season with a cap hit near $37 million and almost $19 million in dead cap if Tennessee were to move on. His competition is a second-round rookie (Will Levis) and second-year player who stunk as a rookie (Malik Willis). You can tell by our superflex rankings that we're not expecting a high-impact season from Tannehill. But he finished each of the previous three years among the top 16 QBs in fantasy points per game. Something near that would make Tannehill a nice value in superflex and 2-QB formats.
Titans OC Tim Kelly gave his thoughts on QB Will Levis’ ability to throw with different speeds. That, of course, proved problematic at Kentucky. “I think that’s part of learning how to be a professional quarterback,” Kelly said. “Yeah, he can sit there and he can rip it. He’s got a strong arm. But it’s also, to use the baseball reference, having a different pitch in your bag, too, if you need it. It’s not just having it — it’s knowing when to use it, the location of the balls, and all that.” Per long-time beat writer John Glennon, Levis’ accuracy has remained an issue in offseason practices. The 24-year-old remains just a dynasty stash.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, there’s “no indication that the Titans plan to move on from [Ryan] Tannehill this offseason.” Tannehill is scheduled to make a non-guaranteed $27 million in a contract year. Graziano adds that he wouldn’t be “surprised” to see Tannehill’s name come up in trade talks — if the Titans start poorly. Rookie QB Will Levis is off the redraft radar, but there remains a real chance he takes snaps in 2023.
The Titans traded up to select Kentucky QB Will Levis in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. At Penn State, Levis sat behind QB Sean Clifford – a projected UDFA. So the Connecticut native transferred to Kentucky in 2021. That year turned up his most promising tape, both as a passer and a runner. But when Kentucky lost several key pieces to the NFL — including WR Wan'Dale Robinson — Levis’ play dipped. He also dealt with several 2022 injuries (shoulder, foot, finger), although he missed only two games. With a bodybuilder’s frame, Levis checks boxes for arm strength, toughness, and experience in a pro-style offense. Still, his game needs serious refinement — and that’s concerning at nearly 24 years old. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes, Ryan Tannehill is entering the final year of his contract, one that doesn’t call for any guaranteed money. At a minimum, Levis looks poised to compete for Tennessee’s starting job in 2024.
Kentucky QB Will Levis' left toe is "problematic" for at least one team that's considered drafting him, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Levis missed two games last season with what's been reported as turf toe. He believes the toe has healed, per Mortensen, but another team believes Levis will eventually need surgery. This at least partially explains why Levis dropped out of the first round on Thursday night. We'll see where he ends up landing -- and whether this toe remains a problem. But his dynasty value has taken a big hit.
QB Will Levis measured in at 6’4, 229 pounds at the NFL Combine. He passed on running the 40-yard dash, citing a turf toe injury that popped up in October. On the field, Levis’ performance gave evaluators another chance to see his effortless arm strength. The Kentucky star remains a likely top-10 NFL pick.
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