Will Levis' Status Uncertain for Week 18, Titans Will Go Tannehill at QB If Needed per Mike Vrabel

The Tennessee Titans head into their final game of the 2023 season with familiar uncertainty at the quarterback position. With Will Levis' status in doubt, head coach Mike Vrabel announced the team would go back to Ryan Tannehill, if needed.

The Tennessee Titans have finally come to the whimpering end of a wasted 2023 season and as is emblematic of the year, the Titans will not know exactly who will be playing quarterback as Will Levis was hurt again against the Houston Texans last Sunday.

According to Mike Vrabel on Tuesday though, if Levis can't go because of his numerous injuries, it'll be Ryan Tannehill back in the starting role. Tannehill played in Week 16 when Levis was out, but went back to the bench when Levis returned in Week 17.

All of that took place after Tannehill was the starter for the first six weeks of the season before, you guessed it, an injury knocked him out and resulted with Tannehill losing his starting job. 

It appears no matter who you play at quarterback, this team's offensive line will get that player hurt. Malik Willis would be smart to stay warm against the Jaguars on Sunday. Tannehill got banged up against the Texans in Week 17, so expect more of the fame.

Vrabel discussed the the possibility that Levis could suit up in Week 18 at his Tuesday press conference though.

"We'll see," Vrabel said about Levis. "We'll evaluate that through the week and see how practice goes. Then we'll prepare accordingly and make sure we give everybody the best opportunity to win the football game. We'll see everybody's health as they work through treatment today and practice and treatment throughout the week."

Vrabel didn't shut the door on Levis playing here obviously, but at this stage it would be malpractice to put your rookie passer back out behind this offensive line with nothing to play for. The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention since Week 15.

The odds are better that we see Tannehill in one last dance as the Titans' quarterback. It is fitting he will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars with a chance to knock them out of the playoffs as the Jaguars did to the Titans last season with Tannehill injured to finish the year.

Related Titans-Texans stories

• WEEK 17 TITAN UP-TITAN DOWN: The Tennessee Titans got embarrassed by the Houston Texans in Week 17 and while that will always warranty some losers, there were some winners amidst the beatdown that deserve their flowers. CLICK HERE
• GAME STORY: The Tennessee Titans played their last road game on Sunday, and it was much like all the rest of them. They were blown out by the Houston Texans 26-3 on Sunday and fell to 5-11 on the season. Here is Tom Brew's game story. CLICK HERE
• WATCH LEVIS HIT HOPKINS: The Tennessee Titans have kicked off their Week 17 matchup with the Houston Texans and they got a big fourth-down conversion early when Will Levis connected with DeAndre Hopkins for 12 yards to keep the drive alive. CLICK HERE
• WATCH LEVIS SACKED, INJURED: The Tennessee Titans got salt in the wound as they did in Week 15 against the Houston Texans as rookie quarterback Will Levis was hurt again. This time, the play also resulted in a score for the Texans' defense as Levis was stripped on a sack. CLICK HERE
• WATCH DILLARD GIVE UP TWO SACKS: The Tennessee Titans were able to get some points on the board before halftime despite essentially ending their last first-half drive with back-to-back sacks of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, with left tackle Andre Dillard surrendering the pressure both times. CLICK HERE