Malik Willis benefits from Titans QB injury situation
MINNEAPOLIS — Quarterback Malik Willis will, again, get the start on Saturday night for the Tennessee Titans. Willis will lead Tennessee in its second preseason game on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Beyond that, Tennessee will get a full four quarters to evaluate Willis in exhibition work. The Titans gave Willis and second-round pick […]
MINNEAPOLIS — Quarterback Malik Willis will, again, get the start on Saturday night for the Tennessee Titans. Willis will lead Tennessee in its second preseason game on the road against the Minnesota Vikings.
Beyond that, Tennessee will get a full four quarters to evaluate Willis in exhibition work.
The Titans gave Willis and second-round pick Will Levis the chance to alternate series last week in Chicago against the Bears. Coach Mike Vrabel said that it was always the team's plan to deploy the two young passers in that way, simulating what a back-up quarterback would experience should they be needed to come in cold to replace Tannehill in an actual game. Levis sustained an injury in joint training camp practices on Thursday in Minnesota.
Sources confirm that Levis will not play against the Vikings as a result, as first reported by Caroline Fenton.
Tennessee will not add a fourth quarterback to the roster before Saturday night's action. Tannehill will not participate in the preseason game either, meaning that Vrabel will have the opportunity to test their emergency quarterback personnel as needed. Willis will be the beneficiary of reps in all four quarters should his coaching staff choose to take advantage of the opportunity.
Wide receivers Mason Kinsey and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are two options to keep an eye on in that scenario.
For Willis, the improvement has been substantial. The 2022 third-round pick completed 16 of his 25 passing attempts in seven offensive possessions for 189 yards with an interception. Willis added three carries for another 22 on the ground and a rushing score for the day.
"I thought that there was significant improvement in (Willis') comfort level," said Greg Cosell of NFL Films on The Install podcast this week. "His overall poise. I thought he was much quicker mentally, which allowed his body to slow down."
Comfort level for Willis is key as he continues to improve. It was clear in the action the he got, out of necessity, in his rookie season that he was not ready to play. Willis did not have a sense of the offense and where the ball needed to come out within the timing and structure of the play.
Success in the preseason does not mean that Willis will have a full mastery of the position. It will, however, give him valuable opportunities to progress as he continues to fortify his spot on the roster in 2023.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
