MIAMI — Brian Callahan was filled with relief on Monday night. Despite an injury knocking quarterback Will Levis out and forcing back-up Mason Rudolph into action, the Tennessee Titans (1-3) got their first win of the season on the road against the Miami Dolphins (1-3) by a score of 31-12.

Make no mistake: there is no quarterback controversy in Tennessee.

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Brian Callahan Backs Will Levis

Levis started against Miami, but sustained a shoulder injury midway through the first quarter of the game.

Rudolph came in and managed the situation effectively enough with help from a rushing attack that posted 142 of Tennessee's 242 yards, a career night from kicker Nick Folk and a strong defensive performance. Levis finished the game 3-of-4 for 25 yards with an interception. It was the second-year quarterback's league-leading ninth turnover of the season.

Callahan left no doubt about who the starter would be moving forward if healthy, however.

"One hundred percent when Will's healthy, he's our quarterback," said the first-year coach. "It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him, particularly with the bye week and a shoulder that didn't feel great. I didn't want to put him back out there. And I knew I was going to run the ball quite a bit. That was really what factored in, but he's our starter when he's healthy and we are ready to roll with him."

Sticking With Will Levis Is The Correct Decision

The Titans were never going to be Super Bowl contenders in 2024.

Figuring out whether Levis can be the franchise's future at quarterback is the most important thing this season. Rudolph finished the game 9-of-17 for 85 yards, but put his team in position to score on seven different possessions. He did exactly the job the team paid him to do when they acquired Rudolph this offseason: keep things under control and hold the fort if the starter misses time.

"Everything about Mason is professional," Callahan said. "He didn’t bat an eye when he walked in the game, our guys didn't bat an eye. He did exactly what you want a guy to do in that situation, is come in and operate. He was pretty clean operation-wise. We got the ball, got the plays called, all those things were really good. He was prepared and ready to go and he is a pro. That's why we brought him in, is for a situation like this and he did a nice job."

Levis will take the team's Week 5 bye to get healthy, and the evaluation will continue.

Whether the results of that process favor the young passer's future in Tennessee or not remains to be seen.

The Titans host the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) in Week 6. Watch/listen to Titans Radio's pregame coverage starting at 9 am CT on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville.

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.