'He'll Try To Go':Titans Hoping For Will Levis Return vs. Texans

Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis is hopeful to suit up on Sunday against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans aren't the only team waiting to see if their rookie quarterback will be full-go for Sunday's home finale. 

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that rookie Will Levis will try to practice in a limited capacity starting Wednesday. Levis did not play in Sunday's loss against the Seattle Seahawks. 

"I think he'll try and practice tomorrow, probably in a limited basis," Vrabel said of Levis. "But I think that he's better, he's improved. He's been working hard to get back like everybody else."

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) reacts after wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) received a pass for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville :: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK

Drafted 34th overall in April, Levis did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday but returned in a limited capacity for Friday's walkthrough. Listed as questionable heading into Sunday, Vrabel said Levis "wasn't very close" to returning to the starting lineup after suffering an ankle injury in Houston's 19-16 overtime win. 

Despite being eliminated from the postseason, Vrabel said it was for Levis to get more experience this season if healthy enough to play. Tennessee is trying to see if the former Kentucky star can be the face of the franchise moving forward.

"Those are invaluable reps," Vrabel said of Levis' status. "I would anticipate a great road environment, playing on the road in a loud environment and being able to handle the operation and work the offense. We know that that’s something that’s always critical. I want everybody that can possibly play to play."

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Levis took over at the midseason mark in place of Ryan Tannehill. In eight games, he's thrown for 1,792 yards for eight touchdowns against four interceptions, leading Tennessee to a 3-5 record. 

In Week 15's matchup against Houston at Nissan Stadium, Levis threw for 199 yards and an interception while rushing for a touchdown. Houston's defense, headlined by Jonathan Greenard, sacked Levis seven times and held the rushing attack to 66 total yards after trailing 13-0 in the second quarter. 

Should Levis be sidelined, Tannehill likely will remain the starter over second-year passer Malik Willis. Last week against the Seahawks, Tannehill threw for 152 yards and was sacked six times. 

Houston rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is still in concussion protocol after sustaining a hit in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets. Case Keenum started the previous two games, but DeMeco Ryans could turn to third-year pro Davis Mills if Stroud isn't cleared. 

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“We’ll see where C.J. is,” Ryans said following Houston's 36-22 loss against the Cleveland Browns Sunday. “We’re not making a decision right now on quarterbacks.” 

Mills, who replaced Keenum in the fourth quarter, completed 15-of-32 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns, but the game was out of reach. Entering Sunday's matchup, Houston (8-7) remains tied atop the AFC South rankings with Jacksonville and Indianapolis.