NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Titans have an extra day after their early leave, and coach Brian Callahan is making sure that quarterback Will Levis uses this time to heal his throwing shoulder.
Callahan said Monday that Levis won’t practice as the Titans (1-3) try to take advantage of time spent scouting by coaches. The first-year coach said Levis spent much of his time off receiving treatment for a right shoulder injury in the first quarter of the season. last week’s win against Miami.
Callahan expects Levis to return to his normal practice schedule on Wednesday and prepare for visiting Indianapolis on Sunday (2-3).
“We’ll see where he’s at in Wednesday’s practice, but yeah, he’s definitely better than he was after the game,” Callahan said.
Levis was injured handing the ball over on third down while trying to get a first down. The second-year quarterback was seen grimacing as he threw to the sideline, and backup Mason Rudolph guided the Titans to their first victory.
“If he’s good to train and ready to go, then he’s going to play and that’s really, unless it affects his ability to do his job, I don’t think there’s going to be any discussion on that,” Callahan said of Levi’s. “Again, if it still hurts like hell and he’s having trouble throwing effectively and all those things, then yeah, that’s a whole different conversation. But again, we’ll just see how the week of practice goes. But I feel pretty good about where it should be.
Callahan and the Titans want to give Levis time to develop in his first season with a new coach and a new offense. Kentucky’s 33rd overall pick in 2023 is currently tied with the Colts’ quarterback. Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in 2023 out of Florida, for the most interceptions in the NFL with six.
Levis also had three fumbles that allowed Tennessee to rank last in the NFL in takeaway margin before the pass. Now the Titans at least have some company in this miserable category, being tied with the Raiders at minus-7.
Even with Richardson’s interceptions, the Colts have eight takeaways for a turnover margin of plus 1.
Rest and treatment should help Levis’ shoulder, but Callahan said every NFL player is dealing with something at this point. Callahan said Levis likely won’t be free from pain and will just have to get through it.
One benefit of Levis’ injury might be having time to watch Rudolph operate Callahan’s offense from the sideline. Callahan said everyone, including himself, learns from watching other players and teams around the league. The Titans coach likes to see how other players operate, looking for anything he can learn.
Jeffery Simmons Status
Jeffery Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, told reporters last week that he suffered an elbow ligament injury that did not require surgery, called the Tommy John procedure for pitchers. baseball. Callahan said Monday that Simmons will work all week with doctors and training staff and expects the lineman to need a few weeks to heal. That’s why the Titans kept Simmons sidelined in Miami.
“Ultimately, that’s where we landed, because it would be in his best interest for longevity to keep him out,” Callahan said.
Back to practice
Titans to open three-week window for rookie LB Cedric Gray to see if he is healthy enough to return from injury reserve after being designated to return on August 28.
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