Titans’ Ryan Tannehill ruled out, Malik Willis to start

With Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill dealing with an ankle injury and illness, 2022 third-round pick and quarterback Malik Willis will make his first career NFL start in Week 8.

On Saturday, the Titans announced that Tannehill has been downgraded from questionable to out. An earlier report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said Tannehill remains sick and missed Saturday’s walk-through, putting Willis in line to start.

The Titans also announced they are elevating quarterback Logan Woodside from the practice squad, along with defensive lineman Larrell Murchison.

While this will be Willis’ first career start, this won’t be his first regular-season action. Willis saw the field in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills with the Titans getting crushed. The rookie completed 1-of-4 passes for six yards and added four carries for 16 yards.

Willis has also seen some snaps split out wide, one of which resulted in a fumble lost in Week 7.

Willis’ start obviously brings a level of unpredictability to this game being that he’s a rookie, but the third-round pick has the help of his legs and running back Derrick Henry to make things easier.

He’ll also have a fairly soft landing spot against a Houston Texans defense that ranks 21st against the pass and dead-last against the run.