Titans coach stands behind Will Levis as starter after MNF injury

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) throws the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Will Levis‘ rough start to the season just got worse last night. The former Kentucky quarterback suffered an injury to his right throwing shoulder in the first quarter of the Titans vs. the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The injury came on a scramble on third down during the Titans’ second drive. On the first drive, Levis threw an interception, his sixth of the season, which ties him with Anthony Richardson for the most in the league. Injury, meet insult.

Backup Mason Rudolph went in for Levis and guided Tennessee to the 31-12 win, their first of the season. The Titans relied on the ground game, totaling 142 rushing yards while Rudolph finished 9-17 with 85 yards. Although a quarterback controversy was brewing on social media, Titans coach Brian Callahan said that as long as Levis is healthy, he is “100%” the team’s starting quarterback. Levis will undergo an MRI for what is believed to be an AC joint injury. The Titans have a bye in Week 5.

“If Will is healthy, he’s our quarterback,” Callahan said. “It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him, particularly with the bye week. The shoulder didn’t feel great. I didn’t want to put him back out there, and I knew I was gonna run the ball quite a bit, so that was really what factored in. But he’s our starter when he’s healthy and we’re ready to roll with him.”

Levis looked like he was preparing to go back in a few times, but was also shown wincing in pain before Callahan made the final call to hold him out.

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“Will hurt his shoulder on that scramble on third down,” Callahan said. “Tried to come back. It was bothering him. Ended up doing what he had to do to try to get back in the game, and ultimately I knew what kind of game it was gonna be with the bye week next week. Didn’t want to expose him to any further risk. He tried everything he could to go, but it was bothering him pretty significantly on his shoulder, so made a decision to hold him out.”

Levis vowed to stay off social media when the backlash started to mount a few weeks ago. Here’s hoping he sticks with that and keeps his full focus on recovery because the trolls are out in force.