AFC South

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis had a solid debut Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens, and he drew rave reviews on Twitter thanks to a handful of plays that showcased his athletic prowess.

The 23-year-old finished the first half having completed 6-of-11 passes for 107 yards, in addition to rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Willis got out to a rough start in the passing game, but began to pick things up late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter. The 2022 third-round pick's performance was highlighted by a 7-yard touchdown run with 14:18 remaining in the second quarter.

MALIK WILLIS HAS ARRIVED.

📱: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL+ https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/Namb3PRZIv

— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022

Malik Willis is a DUDE. Fell way too far in the draft. Interested to see how his career blossoms. https://t.co/xvqkVyLiXh

— Kyle Youmans (@Kyle_Youmans) August 12, 2022

That Malik Willis TD run was EXACTLY why I liked him as a prospect.

His cannon arm + his rushing capabilities and play extension are fantastic

— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) August 12, 2022

Beautiful TD run from Malik Willis, showing off that elusiveness.

— Ben Arthur 🇬🇭 (@benyarthur) August 12, 2022

Figure the Titans use Malik Willis in goal line packages immediately. Just so strong/fast.

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 12, 2022

But the highlight-reel plays didn't stop there.

Willis' passing performance was much better in the second quarter as he began to settle in. He was lauded for his "cannon" of an arm after completing a 48-yard pass to Racey McMath and then completing a Patrick Mahomes-esque sidearm pass shortly after.

Malik to McMath 😁 @ohrae17_

📺: Watch #TENvsBAL on @WKRN pic.twitter.com/RvLz6mIilg

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 12, 2022

MALIK WILLIS HAS A CANNON 🚀
pic.twitter.com/9uOu0lDTNz

— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) August 12, 2022

Watching Titans-Ravens on NFL+ tonight to see Malik Willis. Likely won’t play much in 2022 regular season, but feels like eventually (2023?) he’ll be Titans QB1. Exciting athleticism, run ability, instincts, arm strength + plenty of untapped potential eager to be developed.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 12, 2022

He’s doing sidearm throws now?! @malikwillis

📱: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL+ https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/9CtqFTRGBJ

— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022

Malik Willis BALLIN

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2022

The Titans should play Malik Willis every offensive snap of the preseason. The talent is there, just needs the reps.

— Femi Abebefe (@FemiAbebefe) August 12, 2022

This is why many were excited for Malik Willis in draft season

The fantasy upside is very high - think like a Jalen Hurts 2.0. He’s raw, but all the tools are there pic.twitter.com/YISulgHfsY

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) August 12, 2022

The majority of concerns early in the game highlighted how "raw" Willis looked in Tennessee's first few series. He struggled to complete passes and the Titans appeared to be protecting him in his debut.

The @Titans are really protecting Malik Willis with the game calls. Run, Run, pass. There was a pass on one done outside of 3rd down and you got to see Willis’s legs for just a 3 yard gain. It’s obvious they want an easy debut for Malik.

— Howie The Titan (@howie_thetitan) August 12, 2022

What did y’all expect from Malik Willis? He went 3rd round for a reason bc he is ultra raw

— year 22 (@johnrivers131) August 12, 2022

Breaking news raw rookie QB Malik Willis looks raw 😱😱😱😱

— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) August 12, 2022

Malik Willis looks raw… After we all said he’d be very raw in his first year. Why are yall surprised

— Rich Gonz (@MrRichieG) August 12, 2022

Malik Willis is exactly who we thought he was (so far)

— jack (@ETNfantasyowner) August 12, 2022

Y’all killing Malik Willis for his first couple of reps. He look good to me these last two series. A lot to work on but he’s better than what they had to me

— Lyin’ Brian🥋 (@JustBrian___) August 12, 2022

Ultimately, fans expected Willis to be quite raw in his rookie season. However, he showed flashes of his potential on Thursday night, which has fans excited for his future in the NFL.

Only the beginning for @malikwillis. 🔥 #Titans

📱: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL+ https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/GvQLvlXqTN

— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/DonaghyBrothers/status/1557891376905428994

Malik willis has potential

— Ga₿e Roman (@CrimeBino) August 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/OnlyWssss/status/1557891315446140929

https://twitter.com/Titansssuperfan/status/1557887813168816130

Malik Willis has so much talent if he can put it all together he’s gonna be great

— Football Films (@FootballFilmsYT) August 12, 2022

I know it’s preseason but Malik Willis is showing some signs of what he could be if he learns the NFL game #TENvsBAL

— Dominic Woods (@domiwoods11) August 12, 2022

It's almost like Malik Willis was a freakin' steal in Round 3

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) August 12, 2022

The Titans' next preseason game is on Aug. 20 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Willis puts together another impressive performance, fans will only continue to hype up his NFL potential.

The Indianapolis Colts have made it a priority to sign Quenton Nelson to an extension this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The guard will sign a deal "hopefully this month," per Fowler, with cornerback Kenny Moore II and linebacker Bobby Okereke having to wait on new contracts.

Nelson will make $13.8 million in 2022 from the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, but he could hit free agency next year without a new deal.

The next contract will likely be a big one to match Nelson's production in the NFL.

The 2018 No. 6 overall pick has been a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons, with three first-team All-Pro honors. Even with missing three games due to injury in 2021, he was named second-team All-Pro. His presence was a major reason the Colts finished second in rushing yards while running back Jonathan Taylor easily won the rushing title.

A poll of league personnel named Nelson the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL for the third year in a row in July, per Fowler.

"He's still the guy you would start a team with [at guard]," an NFL coach told Fowler. "You just have to watch him to know he's a special player who can dominate a game at times."

It could help Nelson top the three-year contract signed by Jacksonville Jaguars' Brandon Scherff, which made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL at $16.5 million per year. Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio and Joe Thuney of the Kansas City Chiefs also average $16 million per year on their deals.

The Tennessee Titans used a third-round pick to select Liberty's Malik Willis at this year's NFL Draft, but barring an injury to starter Ryan Tannehill, it's unlikely he'll see the field this year.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: "Willis is very clearly the developmental quarterback, and even when he gets second-team reps, the goal appears to be letting him redshirt behind the scenes."

Fowler said that the Titans "are happy with his progression overall," adding "I don't get the sense the Titans are going to roll Willis out for a Wildcat-type package. He will be stashed."

Before the draft, Willis was a candidate to not only be the first quarterback off the board, but to also be a top-10 pick. Instead, his slide was one of the stories of the event, as he surprisingly dropped into the third round before Tennessee ended his descent.

Fellow quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (No. 20 overall to Pittsburgh) and Desmond Ridder (No. 74 overall to Atlanta) came off the board before Willis.

While Willis is likely to spend the upcoming season as Tannehill's understudy, head coach Mike Vrabel has been impressed with his young quarterback thus far during training camp.

"I think his ability to move on to the next play, to be able to process things quickly and understand when (a play) was a mistake and being able to be coached has been great," he told reporters. "As we move forward here, in some of the stuff that we're doing, to be able to handle the operation (and) making sure it's clean (is a priority). His ability to recover from a snap that he wasn't at his best, I think he's done a really nice job."

The question is when Willis might get the chance to push for the starting gig. Tannehill is under contract through the 2023 season and has played well in Tennessee.

While he took a step back last year after his excellent 2021 campaign (3,819 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions), throwing for 3,734 yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while completing 67.2 percent of his passes, he still led the team to the playoffs for the third straight year.

Come the postseason, Tannehill hasn't been able to get the team over the hump, and it's clear that the Titans wanted a long-term contingency plan, hence the selection of Willis.

But for now, it remains Tannehill's team. Willis will be brought along slowly, and likely won't see the field outside of garbage time in 2022.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry said he's ready to handle another heavy workload if that's what it takes for the team to remain competitive.

A foot injury limited him to eight appearances last season. It marked his first extended absence after he missed just two games over his first five NFL seasons.

The 28-year-old former University of Alabama product was asked Monday what type of role he expects in 2022.

"Whatever it takes to win," Henry told reporters. "My mindset has always been the same. If it's going to be that type of game [with a lot of carries], it's that type of game. Then go from there."

Even though the 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year missed over half of last season, he still ranks second in the league in carries since 2016 with 1,401. Only the Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott (1,650) has more.

Elliott has watched his production dip—4.1 yards per carry over the past two years after a 4.6 YPC figure during his first four seasons—and that's been a common trend for players who receive consistently high carry totals over the years.

Henry is one of the most physically imposing rushers in NFL history at 6'3'' and 247 pounds of seemingly pure muscle, which gives him a chance to defy the odds, but there's still injury risk linked to the high volume of touches.

The two-time Pro Bowler is confident the group of reserves behind him, which includes rookies Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut, will be ready to step up if needed.

"I feel like our group is solid," Henry said. "I feel like the rookies can hold their own. They come out here and practice every day. They run hard. In the film room, they pay attention and take notes. So they've been doing a good job."

Henry is still one of the top running backs heading into the new season, both in the real world and in the realm of fantasy football, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the Titans scale back his workload a little with hope it can keep him fresh and healthy all year.

That'll likely be dependent on Haskins or Dontrell Hilliard showing they can be productive when the NFL's two-time rushing champion is on the sideline, though.

Houston Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce is getting well-deserved recognition for his preseason work, and those sentiments only continued Saturday.

Texans ESPN reporter DJ Bien-Aime dropped his observations this weekend about who Houston's best running back has been thus far:

I don’t want to jump the gun but Dameon pierce looks like the #Texans best running back. The vision, footwork, explosiveness. He’s nice.

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 6, 2022

The Pierce love has been persisting in training camp from numerous sources, and that certainly opens eyes from a fantasy perspective.

Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce @IRep229 off to nice start at training camp, displaying burst and power on consistent basis. While veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead will all have roles, Pierce should carve out one, too @PFN365

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 6, 2022

Dameon Pierce is RB1.

It’s the third day where the gap between him and the other #WeAreTexans RB is staggering.

— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) August 5, 2022

RB Dameon Pierce could be the #Texans first 1,000-yard rusher since Carlos Hyde in 2019. As a rookie…

— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) August 6, 2022

Dameon Pierce keeps flashing in the run game . Been hard to miss him.

Just broke a nice run. #Texans

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 5, 2022

As good as the 5'10", 218-pound Pierce looks as a runner, he'll still need to improve as a blocker during his transition from college to the pros, per offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.

Pep Hamilton on rookie running back Dameon Pierce: 'Dameon Pierce has a chance to be an explosive playmaker for us. So that transition from college football to the NFL, I think the largest curve is just understanding NFL protections, and he'll continue to work on that'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 3, 2022

Each day at camp, rookie RB Dameon Pierce gives the coaches a glimpse of what he’s capable of. He’s been mostly running between the tackles. Tuesday, he got around the corner, accelerated and outran everybody.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) August 2, 2022

https://twitter.com/JaysonBraddock/status/1555606027474714625

Dameon Pierce continues to show he can be an all-around back. Just snagged a catch, diving out parallel to the ground.

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) August 3, 2022

According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Pierce holds the No. 117 overall average draft position in point-per-reception leagues, landing him in the middle of the 10th round of 12-team leagues. He is currently ranked No. 46 overall among running backs.

The former Florida star amassed 2,228 yards and 28 touchdowns over his four years in school. He rushed for 5.7 yards per carry and 13 scores in 2021. Pierce never had more than 123 touches in a season, but he did do a lot with his limited action. He also showed his worth in the pass game with 19 catches for 216 yards and three scores in 2021.

Kate Magdziuk of DraftKings Nation shouted out some more impressive numbers from his collegiate days.

Dameon Pierce in 2021...

😤 4th in missed forced tackles/rush att (0.39)
💥 14th in explosive runs/att (0.2)
🏃🏾‍♂️10th in yards per route run (1.8)
👏🏻 Led FBS in PFF rushing grade (93.5)

(min. 100 rush attempts, rank among 183 qualifying RBs) https://t.co/Fjyd44TxXh

— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) August 3, 2022

The Texans' top three on the depth chart includes Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead and Pierce, but the rookie could very well be RB1 given his tremendous training camp. It's possible Pierce could cede time to Mack and Burkhead early before the rookie grabs control of the backfield. Or perhaps he totes the rock a bunch and stars for Houston early.

Regardless, landing Pierce in the 10th round of drafts is an absolute steal right now. His ADP appears all but certain to rise as the regular season draws near, but Pierce is one of the best mid-to-late-round steals out there.

The felony burglary charges filed against Houston Texans running back Darius Anderson have been dropped.

According to ProFootballTalk's Michael David Smith, the district attorney in Houston announced Friday that the charges were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

TMZ Sports reported last month that Anderson's ex-girlfriend told police that he broke into her home in Harris County, Texas, forcing his way into the garage, which allegedly caused her to fall down the steps.

The woman said she grabbed a gun to prevent Anderson from having access to it, but didn't point it at him. She also said Anderson threatened to "beat her up" after she locked herself in a bathroom, but he fled when she called the police.

Per Smith, Texans head coach Lovie Smith commented Friday on the charges against Anderson being dropped, saying: "When it initially happened, of course, I reached out to him and he told me that the charges have to be dropped because it didn't happen that way. Normally when things happen like that we let it play out in the system. I'm glad it came to that conclusion."

The 24-year-old Anderson played collegiately at TCU, rushing for 2,418 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also catching 43 passes for 224 yards across four seasons form 2016 through 2019.

Anderson was not selected in the 2020 NFL draft, but he signed with the Dallas Cowboys and was waived shortly before the start of the 2020 season.

He then spent the 2020 season on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad and signed a futures contract with the team for 2021.

Anderson was released by the Colts prior to the 2021 season and signed on with the Texans practice squad during the season before signing a futures contract with them for 2022.

He is battling for a roster spot on a team that has no clear starter at running back, giving him a legitimate chance to make the 53-man roster.

Anderson's competition includes veterans Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead, Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale, as well as rookie fourth-round draft pick Dameon Pierce.

A.J. Brown isn't happy with how the Tennessee Titans handled things after trading him to the Philadelphia Eagles in April.

Speaking to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra), Brown made it clear he wasn't upset about the trade "because it's a business," but he "didn't appreciate how it all went down, and they just kind of blamed me for it."

Leading up to the draft, there were rumblings that Brown could be on the move. Mike Vrabel seemed to squash that notion when he said on the April 7 edition of The Rich Eisen Show that the 25-year-old wouldn't be traded "as long as I'm the head coach."

While Vrabel didn't get fired as Titans head coach during the draft, general manager Jon Robinson made the decision to trade Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 18 overall pick.

"At the end of the day, we have to make—I have to make—the hard decisions," Robinson told reporters about the trade. "And there's a lot of things that impact those decisions. Certainly, the finances impact the decisions and trying to get value when we can. And that's the decision we made today."

Brown told ESPN's Turron Davenport after the trade he "wanted to stay" with the Titans, but the contract extension they offered "wasn't even $20 million a year."

The Eagles gave Brown a four-year, $100 million extension with $57 million guaranteed. He was part of the now-storied wide receivers from the 2019 draft, along with Deebo Samuel, Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf and Diontae Johnson.

Samuel, McLaurin, Metcalf and Johnson have all received extensions this offseason with the team that drafted them. (Johnson agreed to a two-year, $36.71 million deal on Thursday, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.)

https://twitter.com/1kalwaysopen_/status/1553902784587698179

The Titans' loss figures to be Philadelphia's gain. Brown has been one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past three seasons. The Ole Miss alum racked up 2,995 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns on 185 receptions in 43 games since 2019.

The Eagles will be counting on Brown to be their No. 1 receiver, but he won't be asked to carry the load all by himself. DeVonta Smith will play on the opposite side of the field. Jalen Hurts threw for 3,144 yards and ran for 784 yards in 15 starts last season.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson announced Tuesday that neither quarterback Trevor Lawrence nor running back Travis Etienne will play Thursday in the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft, showed flashes of brilliance but largely struggled as a rookie last season. Starting all 17 games, the 22-year-old threw for 3,641 yards, 12 touchdowns and a league-high 17 interceptions as the 3-14 Jaguars finished with the worst record in the NFL for the second year in a row.

Jacksonville revamped its roster on both sides of the ball in the offseason and hired a former Super Bowl winner in Pederson as its new head coach after firing Urban Meyer.

Lawrence earned his first career victory in Week 6 of last season when the Jaguars topped the Miami Dolphins in London. It was the team's first win since the 2020 season opener, snapping a 20-game losing streak that was the second-longest skid in the Super Bowl era.

Etienne, who was Lawrence's college teammate at Clemson, was selected by Jacksonville 25th overall in 2021.

He was expected to make an instant impact as a rookie and perhaps supplant James Robinson as the team's starter, but he didn't appear in a single regular-season game after suffering a Lisfranc injury.

Although Etienne will be held out of the Hall of Fame Game, all signs point toward him being good to go for Week 1 of the regular season.

Pederson noted that Jake Luton will get the start at QB on Thursday,

With WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view in their backyard, Tennessee Titans stars Derrick Henry and Taylor Lewan hoped to be part of the show, according to Pat McAfee.

McAfee said Monday that Henry and Lewan reached out before the event and asked if he wanted to involve them in his singles match against Happy Corbin.

.@MichaelCole is a LEGEND#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JGy8jy9HX2

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 1, 2022

The former NFL punter and current WWE commentator lamented that neither player stepped over the barricade to become involved.

Both Henry and Lewan at least had great seats for SummerSlam, which took place Saturday at Nissan Stadium, the Titans' home venue.

This wouldn't have been the first time the worlds of the NFL and WWE overlapped at a major PPV.

Rob Gronkowski, then with the New England Patriots, attacked Jinder Mahal and helped his friend Mojo Rawley win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.

Luckily for McAfee, he didn't need the services of Henry or Lewan as he picked up the win over Corbin.

After a foot injury limited him to three games last season at LSU, Derek Stingley Jr. is expected to be ready for Week 1 of his rookie campaign in the NFL.

Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith told reporters Friday he expects the 21-year-old cornerback to be on the field when the regular season starts.

"Whenever a player is coming out with a major injury, this ramp-up period, that's what it's for. We're going to ease him into it," Smith said. "He's healthy, seeing him run around. We had him doing a few plays. ... So he's on schedule."

The Texans didn't seem to have any concerns about Stingley's health when they made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Stingley underwent a surgical procedure in September for a Lisfranc injury. He told reporters in March he wouldn't work out at the scouting combine to allow his foot more time to recover.

"My rehab is ahead of schedule right now. ... I'm on pace to do what I have to do at pro day," he said.

At LSU's pro day April 6, Stingley showed no lingering issues from the surgery. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds and a 38.5-inch vertical jump, according to numbers recorded by the school (h/t ESPN's Mike Triplett).

The Texans held Stingley out of mandatory minicamp in June, which Smith said was to give the team a chance to "evaluate" and see where he was in his rehab and recovery.

Expectations will be high for Stingley when he gets on the field. The Louisiana native made an immediate impact for LSU as a freshman in 2019. He was a consensus All-American after recording 21 pass breakups and six interceptions in 15 games to help the Tigers win the national title.

Stingley made the All-SEC First Team in each of his first two years at LSU.

The Texans open the preseason Aug. 13, though it's unclear if Stingley will play in that game. They begin the regular season at home Sept. 11 against the Indianapolis Colts.