DECEMBER 22: It will be Willis, for this week at least, at quarterback for the Titans. Vrabel ruled out Tannehill for the Titans’ Week 16 rematch against the Texans. This will be Willis’ second start against the Texans.
DECEMBER 21: Ryan Tannehill‘s ankle injury could ultimately end his season. According to Paul Kuharsky, the Titans quarterback’s injury could require surgery and “will very likely end his season.”
[RELATED: Ryan Tannehill Unlikely To Play In Week 16]
Tannehill suffered a right ankle injury during Sunday’s loss to the Chargers. While the veteran QB only missed one series, he dealt with significant pain after returning to the game. Tannehill suffered an injury to the same ankle earlier this season, forcing him to miss a pair of games.
We heard yesterday that Tannehill was facing an uphill battle to play in Week 16, and as Kuharsky notes, offensive coordinator Todd Downing spoke as if third-round rookie Malik Willis will start against the Texans. Coach Mike Vrabel also gave the young signal-caller a vote of confidence this week.
“I’ve seen a lot of maturity and growth, seen the way that his reps are coming in our show team and trying to get him to act like the starting quarterback and lead that unit and communicate our language, the call that’s on the card, the operation, the snap count, the cadence, whether we go on the ball the next play,” Vrabel said (via Nick Suss of the Nashville Tennessean). “All those looks that we try to give him, I’ve seen a lot of maturity and growth in that regard.”
Willis didn’t look completely hopeless during his two starts, although the coaching staff limited him to only 26 pass attempts between the two games. With Derrick Henry in the backfield, the Titans should have enough to get past the Titans in Week 16.
The Titans would surely prefer their veteran QB under center against the Cowboys and Jaguars, but it’s not like he was doing a whole lot to help their playoff chances. While Tennessee currently sits atop the AFC South, they’ve dropped four straight, with Tannehill throwing three touchdowns vs. two interceptions over that stretch.
Really opens the door for JAX.
Both Washington and Jacksonville in the playoffs would probably be too much excitement for arty! to handle…lol.
I’m more optimistic of the Jags going than DC.
They’re gonna have to run an old school O. Henry left.. Henry right..
That was the old 4 P’s Bears offense in the late 70’s. Payton right. Payton left, Payton up the middle, Parsons to punt.
Before the season started I heard on sports talk about Jacksonville’s vegas odds of winning the division was a real long shot and great payout, and they were saying how great of a bet it would because of the terrible division. It’s looking pretty good for them right now for those that took a shot.
Don’t count Doug Pedersen down early. He led a band of misfits to a dominant Super Bowl run and title.
“Willis didn’t look completely hopeless during his two starts,”
Very generous of you, Ben.
Yeah, I’m not sure why fans are so eager to dump Tannehill for Willis. Willis may eventually become an accomplished starter, who knows, but he certainly has not demonstrated that ability yet. He has a long way to go to get there because of his play style. People are always eager to switch to younger player, but rarely consider the unseen benefits that they were getting from the starter until after he’s gone. Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong, but in Tannehill’s case, the Titans haven’t exactly assembled a world-beating cast of receivers or pass blockers at the moment.
No one ever proofreads these do they.
?
“Titans should have enough to get past the titans”
The Titans should have enough to get past the…Titans in week 16?
“We have met the enemy…and he is us”.
Don’t be surprised if the few pass plays that are called result in Malik running for like 100 yds out of the panic of trying to win a job and everyone screams that he’s the new sensation, and along with Henry’s 100+, don’t assume a Jags win here.
metzfan You have the Titans playing the Titans Ben
This is the worst string of injuries I’ve ever seen happen in one season for a team.
I give the NFL draft people high marks for seeing that Malik Willis was only a third round talent – unlike people like Mel Kiper who fell for the pre-draft hype.
That staged video of him with the homeless guy sure fooled a lot of people too
It was a woman, but what makes you think that it was staged, other than natural suspicion?
“With Derrick Henry in the backfield, the Titans should have enough to get past the Titans in Week 16.” Who’s the Editor-in-chief, Stevie Wonder? Either way, that’s one sure way to get a win in Week 16.