Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis exited Monday’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a shoulder injury during the first quarter. The Titans secured a 31-12 victory in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Levis suffered the injury while attempting to gain a first down on Tennessee’s second drive, landing hard on his right throwing shoulder. He was replaced by backup Mason Rudolph and did not return to the game.
Titans’ head coach Brian Callahan, who celebrated his first victory in that role, indicated he does not believe the injury to be serious, but Levis will undergo tests to assess its severity. Callahan noted that Levis attempted to return but was in significant pain, as evidenced by his discomfort on the sidelines.
The decision to keep Levis out was influenced by the team’s upcoming bye week. “We didn’t want to expose him to any further risk,” Callahan explained. “He tried everything he could to go, but it was bothering him pretty significantly on his shoulder.”
Before the injury, Levis threw his sixth interception of the season on the first drive, targeting DeAndre Hopkins. Dolphins linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah intercepted the ball, catching it between his knees.
This season, Levis has struggled with consistency, tallying two more interceptions than he did during his nine starts as a rookie last year. On Monday, he completed 3 of 4 passes for 25 yards and currently holds a completion percentage of 68.4 with four touchdown passes.
After Levis’s exit, Rudolph took charge and led the Titans on seven scoring drives, including two touchdowns, marking the team’s first win of the season. Rudolph, making his season debut, completed 9 of 17 passes for 85 yards.
Callahan affirmed that Levis would remain the starting quarterback upon his return from the injury. “Will’s healthy, he’s our quarterback,” he stated. “It was not based on anything other than his health and protecting him, particularly with the bye week.”