The news broke late Saturday afternoon that the Titans will start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph due to Will Levis’s injury. According to Paul Kuharsky and other sources like Tom Peliserro of NFL Network, the former Steelers quarterback gets a shot on Sunday. Tennessee is making a quarterback change due to injury concerns, not performance-related reasons.
Mason Rudolph to Start at QB for #Titans in Buffalohttps://t.co/YPXZMW8QqZ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) October 19, 2024
Tennessee Titans Change Quarterbacks Due to Injury Concerns
Rudolph came on in relief against Miami in Week 4 because of the initial shoulder injury to Levis. The injury was later diagnosed as a possible sprain of the AC joint in his throwing shoulder. It was initially thought that the bye week would help alleviate concerns for Levis, but the passer revealed that he was still in pain. The weekly practice reports showed that he was downgraded to being a limited participant on Friday after being a full participant on Thursday.
The former Steeler passer was far more efficient but not spectacular in Tennessee’s Week 4 win against Miami. Tennessee heavily relied upon its top-ranked defense and running game. Rudolph produced 85 yards on 9/17 passing with no touchdowns in that contest. Coach Brian Callahan could have a similar game plan for Sunday’s contest against the Bills. However, the Titans are hurting at running back after Tyjae Spears was declared out with a hamstring injury.
A signal flare of the team’s intentions towards Levis was made on Saturday afternoon when third-string quarterback Trevor Siemian was elevated from the practice squad. Siemian was signed to the practice squad in the past two weeks.
According to BetMGM, the Buffalo Bills are 9.5-point favorites on Sunday, and the over/under total is set at 41. The money line favors the Bills at -500 while the Titans are at +350. While Buffalo should handle Tennessee easily, at least by Vegas standards, they should be in for a rock fight, according to Tim Daniels of Last Word On Sports.
What’s next if Rudolph performs well on Sunday?
Rudolph could secure the job as the Titans attempt to improve upon their 1-4 record. The coaching staff could use the injury excuse to sit Levis for an extended period to self-correct his error-prone tendencies. He could use the time off to get an opportunity to sit and learn that he had never received in the beginning. Tennessee needs to find the answer to several questions among its skill players. The quarterback change due to injury allows them that luxury amidst a lost season. Despite Tyler Boyd’s stringent yet eternally praise-worthy optimism, 2024 is a lost cause that never really got going. Tennessee is well on their way to searching for their next franchise passer.
This news comes from earlier this afternoon that Treylon Burks could be done in Nashville. Could another receiver be on their way out? There was more change in the background as a free agent signing was granted his release as the defense retools.
Injury Update
Adam Schefter reports that Levis could be out for multiple weeks, as the AC joint sprain is considered “week to week.”
Titans QB Will Levis is dealing with a grade 2 AC sprain in his right shoulder and could be sidelined beyond Sunday’s game at Buffalo, per sources. This is considered a 4-to-5 week injury, and Levis has played through injuries in the past, but this one will be a week-to-week… https://t.co/0XaJI2b6Rd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2024
Main Photo Courtesy of Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
