Title: Tennessee Titans’ Preseason QB Situation Raises Concerns: Limited Options and Unclear Emergency Plan
The Tennessee Titans find themselves facing a precarious situation in their preseason quarterback department, with limited options and an unclear emergency plan. As they gear up to face the Minnesota Vikings in their second preseason game, the Titans may be left with only second-year pro Malik Willis, as rookie Will Levis is not expected to take part in Saturday’s matchup.
The absence of Levis and the likelihood that veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill will sit out, as he often does during the preseason, means the Titans will solely rely on Willis to lead their offense for the entire game. While Willis is capable of playing all four quarters, the Titans are faced with an unsettling question: What if Willis is unable to continue, leaving them without a suitable replacement?
Remarkably, the Titans have not carried a fourth quarterback for the preseason, and none of the running backs or receivers on their roster have significant experience playing quarterback beyond gadget plays in high school or college. However, some potential alternatives do exist within the roster.
Defensive back Shyheim Carter and safety Amani Hooker possess previous quarterback experience from their high school days. Carter was a high school quarterback before his time at Alabama, while Hooker also dabbled in the position during his Minneapolis high school career. Nevertheless, both players are among the Titans’ many starters who sat out the team’s first preseason game.
The most experienced skill players who could potentially take on quarterback duties, should the need arise, include Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who has been with the Titans since 2020, Mason Kinsey, who has been periodically associated with the team since 2020, and Racey McMath, the Titans’ 2021 draft pick.
Aside from Tannehill and Willis, there are only a handful of players on the Titans’ roster who have attempted an NFL pass. Running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and safety Kevin Byard fall into this category, but similar to Hooker, they are established Titans veterans who rarely participate in preseason action.
The Titans and Vikings recently engaged in two joint practices leading up to their preseason game. However, things took a worrisome turn when Levis left practice early during the second session and did not participate in the final period of the day.
As the Titans navigate this uncertain preseason quarterback situation, their coaching staff and decision-makers face the challenge of coming up with contingency plans. It remains to be seen how the Titans will handle this potentially delicate scenario, with all eyes on Malik Willis as the team’s primary option for now.
In conclusion, the Tennessee Titans find themselves in a challenging position regarding their preseason quarterback situation. With limited options beyond their anticipated starter, Malik Willis, and no fourth quarterback on the roster for backup, the Titans face uncertainty in case of an emergency. While a few players have some quarterback experience, they are not the team’s regular starters and lack substantial practice in the position. As the Titans proceed into their preseason game against the Vikings, all eyes will be on Willis to see if he can fulfill the entire quarterback role, and the team will need to devise a clear emergency plan to handle any unexpected circumstances that may arise.
