Four weeks ago, Will Levis suffered a shoulder injury in the Tennessee Titans’ victory over the Miami Dolphins. He left the game early and did not return but was able to play following the team’s Week 5 bye week. But after missing Week 7, will Levis be able to return for Week 8?
Will Will Levis Be Active in Week 8?
When Levis first went down early in the Titans’ Week 4 contest against the Dolphins, he was seen throwing on the sidelines and trying to get back in the game. By all accounts, Levis could have returned. However, the offense was moving the ball well with backup Mason Rudolph, so the former Steeler remained in the game, leading the Titans to what remains their only win of the season.
With the bye week to rest up, Levis was seemingly fully recovered. He got in three full practices ahead of Week 6 and was not on the final injury report.
There were no indications he aggravated the injury last week, but clearly, something has caused the shoulder to regress, at least a little bit. Levis went limited-full-limited before Week 7’s practices, but was ultimately declared out.
On Saturday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport noted that Levis suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain, and is in more of a week-to-week situation.
Will Levis is still dealing with his Grade 2 AC joint sprain, one that has him considered week-to-week, sources say. Could miss more than this week, as it’s his throwing shoulder and functionality is an issue.
The thought was he’d progress enough to play. But not yet. https://t.co/CTmEUHKq6E
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2024
According to Titans’ reporter Jim Wyatt, Levis admitted this is something that he’s going to manage for the time being.
“I’m grinding my tail off,” Levis said. “It’s not like an, ‘It’s over,’ type thing. It’ll probably be something I’m dealing with here for a little bit and, hopefully, we can grind through it and get me to a spot where I’m feeling 100% — doing the best I can with everything that they’re having me do.”
Ahead of Week 8, head coach Brian Callahan didn’t rule out a potential return, according to Wyatt:
“The minute he is back healthy, the intent is for him to continue to play,” Callahan said. “Hopefully that is sooner rather than later, because I’d like to continue to have him playing football. But I’m not going to let him go out there if he’s not where he needs to be to go perform. Maybe this week, maybe next week, but sooner or later he’ll be back playing.”
Levis’ Fantasy Outlook in Week 8
No one is starting Levis in fantasy football outside of Superflex leagues. Some, including this writer, would argue no one should be starting Levis anywhere, including the Titans.
Levis was not a particularly good prospect, and at no point in his young NFL career has he been anything resembling a capable NFL starting quarterback. This year, Levis ranks last in EPA per dropback (-0.31).
Did you accidentally drink something poisonous and need to vomit it up quickly? Consider watching all 8 of Calvin Ridley's "targets" in yesterday's game. This is not football. pic.twitter.com/bKbFyxJOWm
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) October 14, 2024
The Lions aren’t a particularly ferocious defense, ranking 13th in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs. Detroit has only played one game since Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending leg injury, and the lack of pressure may ultimately catch up to the Lions.
Still, that doesn’t make either Levis or Rudolph worth playing. Rudolph himself has averaged only -0.18 EPA per dropback this seaosn, only marginally better than Levis.
Fantasy managers with DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley, tread carefully when deciding whether to put them into lineups.