Mike Vrabel announces Ryan Tannehill as starter for Titans in Week 18 vs Jaguars

The Tennessee Titans have the chance to cause some disruption in the AFC South on Sunday as they take on the 9-7 Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are chasing a spot in the playoffs and need a Week 18 win to get there. On Friday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel announced that quarterback Ryan Tannehill will start over the banged-up Will Levis. Levis is dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered against Houston last week.

Levis dropped back to pass on a play early in the second quarter and was plowed over and sacked by a Texans player, dropping the ball in the process. Houston scooped it up and ran for the touchdown while Levis limped off.

Tannehill threw for 168 yards after Levis’ exit but couldn’t get the Titans in the end zone as Tennessee fell 26-3.

Levis’ rookie season ends with nine game appearances, 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He posted a 58.4% completion rate. The Titans drafted him No. 33 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Jaguars have the opportunity to clinch the AFC South title on Sunday if they beat the Titans. However if they lose or tie, the Houston Texans take the division with a win over the Colts on Saturday night.

Jaguars rule Trevor Lawrence ‘questionable’ for Sunday vs Titans

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be starting backup quarterback CJ Beathard again this week against the Tennessee Titans. They ruled starter Trevor Lawrence as questionable on Friday as he continues recovering from a shoulder injury. He had to miss the first game of his career last week, but the Jaguars won without him in a shutout against the Panthers.

Lawrence, the 2021 first-overall pick out of Clemson, was already banged up headed into the game against Tampa Bay. He suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this month and then entered the NFL’s concussion protocol two weeks later. He made it out of the protocol in time to play versus the Buccaneers, before exiting with the shoulder injury.

Lawrence has thrown for 3,736 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 65.5% passing this season. He’s added 329 yards and four scores on the ground.