Will Levis once gave Tennessee Titans fans enthusiasm for the future by throwing four touchdown passes in his NFL debut.
That was more than two months ago. Since then, the rookie quarterback has had trouble getting playing time because of late-season ailments. And now, Titans fans are left wondering if they’ll get one last look at their prized second-round rookie find.
Titans Provide Update on Will Levis’ Playing Status for Week 18
Unfortunately for the Tennessee faithful, they’ll have to wait until fall 2024 to watch Levis in game action again.
Head coach Mike Vrabel officially ruled out the University of Kentucky star on Friday as Levis deals with a new foot injury.
Levis sustained that ailment during the Week 17 loss to the Houston Texans. He was limited to just 2 of 6 passing for 16 yards. His right foot injury became the second time he got hurt this season. Levis sustained a high ankle sprain that ruled him out of the Christmas Eve contest against the Seattle Seahawks.
With Levis out, the Titans will once again turn to familiar veteran Ryan Tannehill for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And for Tannehill, Sunday could end up becoming his final game ever with the Titans, as he’s an unrestricted free agent for the upcoming 2024 cycle.
Was Levis Trying To Play Against Jacksonville?
Levis did make the attempt to finish out the year on the football field.
He became a limited practice participant on Thursday ahead of the Jaguars game. But along came Vrabel and the Titans’ decision to rest the rookie.
MORE: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart
Now with Levis resting until 2024, here’s what the first-year Titan accomplished:
- He completed 58.4% of his throws.
- Levis went 3-6 overall as a starter — winning one more game over Tannehill.
- Racked up 1,808 passing yards and averaged 200.9 yards per game.
- Completed 81 passes that became first downs.
- Tossed eight touchdowns with four interceptions.
- Delivered one 300-yard outing against the Miami Dolphins in the Dec. 11 comeback win (327 total).
- Threw touchdowns in four of his nine total starts.
How Titans Can Build Around Levis in 2024
Unfortunately for Vrabel, he may not get the chance to coach Levis for a second year. At 5-11, the Titans are out of the playoff picture. There have been rumblings that the franchise will sever ties with their head coach of seven NFL seasons.
But if Vrabel is granted his eighth season in Nashville, he’ll need to make some critical decisions alongside general manager Ran Carthon.
For starters, protecting Levis has to emerge as priority No. 1. Of the Titans’ astonishing 62 sacks surrendered, Levis was tussled to the ground 28 times. PFN’s A.J. Schulte already projects Tennessee to draft tackle Olu Fashanu out of Penn State.
“If the Titans are fully onboard with Will Levis at QB, their next priority should be to get their offensive line sorted out,” Schulte wrote.
“The Titans objectively flunked at left tackle this offseason with the Andre Dillard acquisition. Still, they have an opportunity for a real solution in Olu Fashanu, one of the best pass-protecting tackles in recent memory.”
Then there’s providing Levis with weapons to turn to on the field. Schulte has Xavier Legette of South Carolina bolstering the Titans’ wide receiver room in the second round.
“Whether Tennessee keeps DeAndre Hopkins or trades him, it must keep adding talent to the wide receiver room. Xavier Legette is a superb field-stretching presence who adds the level of dynamic athlete the Titans were hoping to get out of Treylon Burks,” Schulte wrote.
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