Brian Callahan and Will Levis on different pages when it comes to the shoulder injury status of the Titans QB
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is still dealing with an injury in his throwing shoulder and he does not appear to be on the same page as head coach Brian Callahan in terms of how healthy he currently is. Levis sprained his right AC joint in a Monday Night Football game against the […]
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is still dealing with an injury in his throwing shoulder and he does not appear to be on the same page as head coach Brian Callahan in terms of how healthy he currently is.
Levis sprained his right AC joint in a Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins a few weeks ago. Levis was removed from the game for backup Mason Rudolph, who managed things adequately and picked up Tennessee's only victory of the year.
Heading into Sunday's divisional matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, Levis' availability was going to be determined by his capability. Practicing and suiting up on game day meant playing through pain, but Brian Callahan was certain that Levis wouldn't play if he was unable to fulfill his duties at quarterback.
The Titans' decision was a simple one: If Levis' injury was detrimental to the offense's success, he needed to sit for another week and let Rudolph take over. If Levis appeared good to go, he needed to play.
Obviously, Levis looked good throughout the week of practice and was named the unquestioned starter. The shoulder injury didn't seem to be factor…until it was.
Levis Postgame Comments
In a postgame press conference after a 20-17 loss, Levis was asked about an interception he threw in the fourth quarter. The second-year quarterback felt like his health contributed to the poor throw.
"That was one of the throws today where I kind of felt the lack of arm strength or whatever, where I feel like on a healthier day, I'm putting a better ball on it, on more of a line," Levis said. "So, it's frustrating. We were able to get the ball back and still make an opportunity after that. We didn't make it work. But yes, that's a throw I'd like to have back for sure."
So the Titans felt like Levis was healthy enough to make throws and start the game for them, but in crunch time his arm strength was hindered by the injury? Where is the disconnect and is there a chance that Callahan's conservative offensive approach was related to Levis being less than 100 percent? If so, that feels like the exact situation that would call for Levis to get another week of rest and Rudolph to play.
Callahan Answers Questions
Titans media followed up with head coach Brian Callahan during Monday's press conference on Levis' shoulder. It would appear the Titans' head coach is not on the same page as Levis about the shoulder impacting his performance.
"Everything leading up to the game and in practice, everything felt like he was good enough to make the throws that he needed to make to win the game. And I didn't have any reservations necessarily about that. I didn't think there was any real ill effect. I knew there was going to be some pain. That's just part of it," said Callahan. "That throw, the interception, he had pressure kind of in his face and he couldn't quite get everything into it anyway. I don't know that an arm strength or a healthy shoulder would have made much of a difference, truthfully."
To be clear, Levis dealing with pain and Levis losing arm strength are two entirely different things. Pain we can play through. But if your arm is weaker because of a lingering injury, you have a much more serious problem.
Callahan could not have been clearer. He knows there was some pain involved but he doesn't feel like Levis' interception had anything to do with the shoulder injury. Tennessee's quarterback seemed to be singing a different tune.
Levis is the only person who knows what he was truly feeling during that game on Sunday and what his physical capabilities are moving forward. But I can't say I love the disconnect in messaging between a head coach and his QB here. It feels very disjointed, which is the last thing you want from a 1-4 team that is trying to find some footing.
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