The Titans lost their Week 15 game, as the Texans completed a late-game comeback to earn a 19-16 overtime victory, but that result will be the least of Tennessee's worries.
On its final offensive snap of the game, Tennessee lost its starting quarterback, Will Levis, to what initially appeared to be a significant injury.
The injury occurred when Levis was sacked on a third down with two minutes left in overtime. He wasn't hit too hard on the play, but he was bent backward during it as Desmond King twisted him to the ground.
#Titans QB Will Levis went down and immediately grabbed his left leg after getting sacked on this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 17, 2023
Levis was later seen walking on the sideline. 🙏
pic.twitter.com/vBiepYDt35
The rookie quarterback remained down after the injury and was reaching toward his left leg. The broadcast didn't show a replay of it, fearing that it showed a serious injury.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 15
Will Levis injury update
The good news? Levis was able to get up and exit the field under his own power. He was later seen jogging on the sidelines, so that's a good sign that perhaps the injury wasn't as severe as it was initially anticipated.
Levis didn't return to the game, but that was because the Titans punted after he exited and didn't get the ball back.
Mike Vrabel didn't clarify whether Levis would have been able to return to the game after the injury. He also didn't provide much of an update on the quarterback's status moving forward.
"We'll see where it goes," he said after confirming that Levis would be receiving tests after the game.
Levis, meanwhile, downplayed the severity of the injury and said he'll consult with the team's medical staff on what comes next.
“I thought it was worse, how I got rolled up on, but we’ll see how it feels tomorrow,” Levis said. “Could have been a lot worse but I think I’ll be alright.”
Will Levis said he's all right, it could have been worse. Levis added that he'll get more feedback from the #Titans trainers tonight and into tomorrow.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 17, 2023
On Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that it was believed Levis had suffered an ankle sprain. That may at least give Levis a chance of playing in one of Tennessee's final three games depending on its severity.
MORE: NFL teams to clinch playoff spots thus far in 2023
Who is the Titans' backup QB?
Ryan Tannehill is currently the Titans' backup quarterback. The 35-year-old opened the season as Tennessee's starter but was replaced by Levis after he suffered a high-ankle sprain.
While Tannehill may start in place of Levis, the team could also start Malik Willis, who began the season as the backup to Tannehill. Willis, 24, was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, so the Titans could use the end of the season to assess him if Levis can't play. Sunday's defeat officially eliminated Tennessee from playoff contention.
