NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rookie Will Levis needed all of two starts to earn the starting quarterback job for the Tennessee Titans.
Coach Mike Vrabel announced Tuesday that the 33rd pick overall out of Kentucky will be the Titans starter moving forward and that he already told the team of the change, moving injured veteran Ryan Tannehill to the backup spot.
“There’s clearly something there,” Vrabel said of Levis. “And we want to be able to continue to work with him and progress and develop and win. And that’s how you get better. And you only get better by going out there and playing, especially at that position.”
Vrabel announced the change after informing the Titans earlier Tuesday at a team meeting after a long weekend off. They visit Tampa Bay on Sunday and now the rookie who began the regular season as the No. 3 will make his third straight start — second on the road — knowing he’s the starter.
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“We think that’s the best opportunity for our football team right now,” Vrabel said.
Levis had been the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart after an injury kept him from playing in the last two preseason games. When Tannehill was hurt and couldn’t finish the loss to the Ravens, second-year quarterback Malik Willis replaced the veteran.
With a bye and a full game week to prepare the rookie, the Titans turned to Levis.
The rookie has four touchdown passes and only one interception with 500 yards passing in two starts. Tannehill, also in the final year of his contract, had two TD passes and six interceptions with 1,128 yards passing in his six starts.
The Titans will see how Tannehill progresses from the right ankle he sprained Oct. 15 in a loss to Baltimore in London. Vrabel expects the 35-year-old veteran to back up Levis.
“That’s where we’re at right now,” Vrabel said.
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz was signed by the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, according to an AP source.
Wentz signs with Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are signing quarterback Carson Wentz, according to an AP source. Wentz must first pass a physical before the move can be finalized.
Wentz has been out of the NFL this season after starting seven games last year for the Washington Commanders. The seven-year NFL veteran was Philadelphia’s starter for five years, and he started all 17 games for Indianapolis in 2021.
The Rams are in need of another passer behind Matthew Stafford, who missed Los Angeles’ dismal loss at rainy Green Bay last weekend with a sprained thumb ligament. The Rams are on a three-game losing streak, falling to 8-18 since winning the Super Bowl.
Backup Brett Rypien was the only other quarterback on the Rams’ roster before Stafford’s injury, and he struggled to a 13-of-28 performance with two fumbles and an interception in Los Angeles’ 20-3 loss.
The Rams waived Rypien on Tuesday, a necessary move if the team intends to put him back on its practice squad.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday he is optimistic about Stafford playing in their next game against Seattle on Nov. 19, but the signing of Wentz indicates the Rams want insurance in case the injury lingers or Stafford gets hurt again.
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray watches from the sideline as the Cardinals play the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
BRIEFLY
CARDINALS: Arizona activated Kyler Murray from the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, opening the door for him to make his return from a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The move was expected, but still significant, considering Murray has missed roughly 11 months with a torn ACL that he suffered last season in a game against the New England Patriots. The 26-year-old was designated to return on Oct. 18, giving the Cardinals 21 days to promote him to the active roster. First-year coach Jonathan Gannon said on Monday that Murray would start against the Falcons if he has a good week of practice.
BROWNS: Cleveland placed starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. on injured reserve, meaning quarterback Deshaun Watson’s blindside — and right shoulder — will be protected by someone else for at least the next four games. The 2020 first-round pick has a sprained medial collateral ligament, low-grade posterior cruciate ligament sprain and bone bruises. However, Wills hasn’t been ruled out for the season.
JETS: New York signed defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey to the practice squad. The Jets released defensive lineman Bruce Hector from the practice squad Tuesday to make room for Winfrey, who was waived by Cleveland on July 19 after police opened an investigation into him being involved in an aggravated robbery incident. Fox 8 News in Cleveland reported on Oct. 31 that Winfrey would not face charges.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could return to practice this week ahead of a visit from Green Bay. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said there’s a chance Fitzpatrick could test out the hamstring he injured in the first quarter of a loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 29. Pittsburgh moved veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson to safety during Fitzpatrick’s absence in a victory over Tennessee.
PANTHERS: Blake Martinez has put his embattled Pokemon trading card business on hold and is returning to the NFL. The 29-year-old linebacker joined Carolina’s practice squad and the team is hoping he can help offer some stability to a position that has been ravaged by injuries. Martinez has been out of football since last November when he abruptly announced his retirement from the Las Vegas Raiders to focus on “family and future passions.”
BRONCOS: The team is planning to build a $176 million state-of-the-art training complex and headquarters on the site of its existing campus in suburban Denver. The project will take two years and ground will be broken in the spring. The new facility will house an expanded locker room as well as weight rooms on the first floor. Football operations, including coaches offices, will be on the second floor and business operations on the third.
