Malik Willis

The Tennessee Titans will reportedly start Josh Dobbs for Thursday night's matchup with the Dallas Cowboys over rookie Malik Willis, according to Justin Melo of TheDraftNetwork.com. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network confirmed the news.

It will be Dobbs' first NFL start.

The Titans selected Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, and he has served as Ryan Tannehill's backup this season. He has started three games in Tannehill's absence.

Willis was one of the more promising quarterbacks in a relatively weak 2022 draft class at that position. He spent two seasons at Auburn before transferring to Liberty, where he spent his junior and senior seasons.

The 22-year-old had a solid 2021 season, completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 878 yards and 13 scores.

The Titans have gone just 1-2 in his three starts this season. He's thrown for only 276 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions while completing just 50.8 percent of his passes and taking 10 sacks. He has also rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Dobbs has appeared in six games throughout his NFL career. He's completed 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 45 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

With Tannehill still injured, the Titans had to decide between the inexperienced and struggling Willis or the journeyman Dobbs. They reportedly have chosen the latter.

The Tennessee Titans will turn to rookie quarterback Malik Willis as the starting quarterback for Saturday's matchup with the Houston Texans, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Veteran Ryan Tannehill has been ruled out for the game with an ankle injury.

NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky reported Wednesday that Tannehill was likely done for the season, opening up the chance for Willis to make an impression down the stretch.

The 23-year-old has made two starts this season, going 1-1 in those contests. For the year, the third-rounder out of Liberty has thrown for 177 yards and an interception, completing a woeful 44.7 percent of his passes while taking six sacks. He's added 80 rushing yards.

"I think the previous experience helped a lot, as far as just knowing what it takes and knowing what your routine is going to be in order to prepare," Willis told reporters Wednesday. "It's different every week, who we play. But the way you prepare is the same mostly. It's just understanding what it takes and going out there every day. Now I get the reps a little more, and it's just about going out there and getting better."

It will be a trial by fire for Willis at a crucial juncture in Tennessee's season, with the 7-7 Titans holding onto a tenuous one-game lead in the AFC South over the suddenly hot Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8), winners of four of their last six.

The Titans, meanwhile, have lost four straight.

The Jags won the first matchup between the teams by a 36-22 score, with the division potentially coming down to the final week of the season when the two teams face off in Jacksonville for the second time. The division winner will claim the No. 4 seed in the AFC.

It may be a moot point if the Titans can't get past the Texans and a Week 17 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. At least this week, Willis finds himself in the spotlight.

Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers did not get off to an ideal start for the Tennessee Titans.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was carted off with an injury during the first quarter, per Jonathan Jones of CBS. The setback was deemed an ankle injury, and it put rookie Malik Willis temporarily under the spotlight.

However, the starter returned in a rather surprising development during the second quarter.

Tannehill missed Tennessee's Week 8 win over the Houston Texans and Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with an ankle injury earlier this season.

The Titans didn't ask Willis to do much in those games, as he attempted a combined 26 passes as the team looked to rely on Derrick Henry and the rushing attack as much as possible. The rookie has completed just 41.2 percent of his passes for 157 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception as a thrower this year.

Numbers like that surely don't inspire confidence, and the Titans are suddenly far from a lock to win the AFC South.

The Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and will be just one game back if the Chargers defeat the Titans. Jacksonville and Tennessee also face each other to end the season in Week 18.

Prior to this season, Tannehill has been durable of late.

He appeared in all 17 games last season and all 16 games in 2020 while helping lead his team to the playoffs both years. He may not be the long-term answer at quarterback for the franchise after it selected Willis in the 2022 NFL draft, but he is likely its best chance at competing in the playoffs this season.

That is what made his return to Sunday's game such a welcome development for a team looking to make a final push into the postseason.

The Malik Willis era didn't get off to a rousing start. Luckily for the Tennessee Titans, they still have Derrick Henry.

Many expected Willis to be a long-term project at quarterback, and those concerns were borne out Sunday in a 17-10 win over the Houston Texans. Starting in place of an injured Ryan Tannehill, he went 6-of-10 for 55 yards and one interception.

Willis attempted just one pass in the second half, which summed up both his struggles and how much Henry dominated the proceedings. The two-time Pro Bowler was a one-man offense, going for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.

The Texans would probably prefer if Henry played in an entirely different division because he has carved Houston's defense open over the last few years.

The bad news for the Texans is they still have to play the Titans again in Week 16. But at least they've successfully managed expectations to the point where allowing only 150 yards to Henry would be qualified as a success.

Tennessee Titans fans who were begging for Malik Willis to replace Ryan Tannehill at quarterback will get their wish Sunday.

Tannehill has been officially ruled out because of an illness and sprained ankle.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted Willis took all of the starter's reps at quarterback in practice this week.

Fantasy managers intrigued by the possibility of Willis may not get a better matchup than the Texans. Houston's defense ranks 31st in total yards allowed (411.8 per game) and, perhaps more relevant to Willis, last in rushing yards allowed (164.7).

Prior to the NFL draft, most scouting reports for Willis emphasized the scheme he played in at Liberty was rudimentary and included basic concepts and run-pass options.

Writing for B/R, Nate Tice called Willis' process in the passing game "inconsistent" and said the QB will be "all-in on a singular route on a play" rather than going through progressions. The 23-year-old does have a strong arm, but the Titans don't have speed options to take full advantage of it.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the only Tennessee wideout with at least five catches who's averaging at least 13 yards per reception.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has limited Willis to 20 snaps in two games, with 17 of them coming in a 41-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. He only went 1-of-4 passing at a time when the Bills were likely playing soft coverage just to run out the clock.

Willis did impress at times in the preseason. He went 28-of-51 for 318 yards and two touchdowns through the air, with 159 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries as a runner.

The Titans have been a run-heavy offense with Tannehill under center. Vrabel and offensive coordinator Todd Downing will almost certainly double down on that approach with Willis starting.

This will be good news for fantasy managers with Derrick Henry. The two-time Pro Bowler isn't as explosive as he once was, but he remains remarkably consistent. He has run for at least 80 yards in five of six games he's played, including three straight games with at least 100 yards.

Henry's usage has increased in every game since Week 3, going from 20 carries to 22 to 28 to 30 in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. He's averaged 23.3 fantasy points per game in PPR scoring leagues in his past four games, per FantasyPros.

Tannehill ranks second on the Titans with 19 rushing attempts. Willis should have at least five to seven designed runs in this game, plus several more on scrambles when he feels any pressure coming or his first and second read are covered.

There's certainly a high risk of Willis committing multiple turnovers, especially if he gets put in obvious passing situations, but his upside as a runner gives the rookie intriguing fantasy potential this week.

If your regular quarterback is on a bye and you are searching for a late streamer, Willis could be worth adding because of a favorable matchup.

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis is reportedly set to make his first career start Sunday against the Houston Texans.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Willis took all the starter reps in practice this week as Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been dealing with an illness as well as an ankle sprain.

The illness caused him to miss the team's walkthrough Saturday, solidifying Willis as this week's starter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that Tannehill has been downgraded to out and will not travel with the team to Houston.

Willis appeared in two games this season, with 17 of his 20 snaps coming late in a 41-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills after Tannehill was benched. The 23-year-old completed one of his four passes for six yards, and he ran the ball four times for 16 yards but lost a fumble.

A third-round pick out of Liberty, Willis was originally projected to be one of the first quarterback prospects to be selected in this year's draft. But when he inexplicably tumbled down the draft board, Tennessee decided to secure its quarterback of the future.

The Titans intended to bring Willis along slowly as he developed behind Tannehill. Now that he's thrust into the starting role, Tennessee would be wise to cater to his strengths. Willis is at his best when he utilizes his dual-threat ability to challenge defenses with his powerful arm as well as his speed.

The Week 2 game against Buffalo was the last time the Titans lost. Tennessee has won four straight and has done so in gritty fashion, with each victory coming by fewer than 10 points. The team ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing defense at 96.8 yards allowed per game.

As long as Willis can limit his mistakes, the Titans will have a good chance at earning their fifth straight win Sunday against the 1-4-1 Texans.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was seen in a walking boot for his right ankle after Sunday's 19-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Tannehill had struggled at times to establish himself as a high-end franchise quarterback since the Miami Dolphins selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. His 91.7 career passer rating ranks 15th among active QBs, per Pro Football Reference.

He's made some significant strides since taking over as the Titans' starter midway through the 2019 season, however, tallying 76 touchdown passes across 45 appearances over the previous three years. He added six touchdowns and three interceptions in the first five games so far in 2022.

The 34-year-old Texas A&M product made it through his first four professional seasons without missing any games because of injury. After sitting out three contests in 2016, he didn't play at all in 2017 because of a torn ACL suffered during training camp.

A lingering shoulder injury forced him to the sideline in 2018, but he's remained healthy over the past three years.

Rookie Malik Willis will likely receive the first opportunity to fill the void for the Titans. Logan Woodside is in line to take over the backup role with promotion from the practice squad.

Tannehill's stock had fallen dramatically during his time in Miami, but he's gone a long way to reestablish his value in Tennessee. The team's offensive efficiency would likely drop considerably if he's sidelined for an extended period of time.

Even after an 0-2 start to the season, the Tennessee Titans aren't looking to bench Ryan Tannehill in favor of Malik Willis.

Peter Schrager provided the latest on NFL on Fox pregame:

Outside that building, there's a lot of whispers, and maybe louder than whispers, about seeing the third-round pick Malik Willis out of Liberty. Maybe it's time to go to him, I can tell you, speaking to Titans sources, that is not the conversion internally. They are all-in on Tannehill and they still believe they're contenders this season.

Willis saw his first NFL action in a Week 2 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, finishing 1-of-4 passing for six yards, plus four carries for 16 yards.

There are high expectations for the former Liberty star, who showcased his dual-threat ability during the preseason. Willis was the third quarterback taken in the draft behind Kenny Pickett and Desmond Ridder.

It's enough for plenty of fans to call for the rookie to take over and prove himself as the quarterback of the future.

On the other hand, Tannehill is just one year removed from leading the Titans to the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 12-5 record. In 47 appearances with Tennessee, the quarterback has a 101.1 passer rating with 78 touchdowns and a 2.1 percent interception rating.

The team is standing by Tannehill despite the early season struggles, hoping it's enough to remain in playoff contention.

If things don't turn around, however, Tennessee would be smart to see what it has in Willis before the year is over. Tannehill has a $36.6 million cap hit in 2023, but the Titans can save up to $27 million by trading or releasing the quarterback in the offseason, per Spotrac.

As the Tennessee Titans were getting blown out by the Buffalo Bills on their way to a 41-7 loss on Monday Night Football, it became apparent that starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill was overmatched.

The 34-year-old completed 11 of 20 passes for 117 yards and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The lackluster performance had many fans online clamoring for Tannehill to be replaced by rookie quarterback Malik Willis, and they got their wish.

Tannehill was benched after throwing the pick-six, and Willis made his NFL debut in the third quarter of Monday's game. However, things didn't go much better for the 23-year-old, as he went 1-of-4 for six yards and ran the ball four times for 16 yards and a lost fumble.

With the Titans falling to 0-2, much of the chatter on social media centered around the team's quarterback position, with Willis getting most of the attention:

Tennessee has a lot of questions to answer. Tannehill is likely to remain the team's starter, but for how long? The Titans can't afford to fall into a deeper hole this season after finishing as the No. 1 seed in the AFC last year.

If Tannehill puts forth another performance like he had Monday, there will be no shortage of fans calling for Willis to be the team's starter for the rest of the season.