Titans expected to start QB Josh Dobbs; Malik Willis will serve as a substitute against the Cowboys

The Tennessee Titans have two of their quarterbacks on the sidelines for their Week 17 game on Thursday night.

Veteran starting Ryan Tannehill was already on the shelf with a recent ankle injury, but rookie quarterback Malik Willis is also expected to sit out against the Dallas Cowboys.

The team will start recently signed quarterback Joshua Dobbs, according to a report from CBS Sports.

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The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering Dobbs was dropped from the Detroit Lions practice squad just over a week ago.

The sixth-round pick has never started an NFL game.

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The Titans beat Willis in the third round of this year’s draft. The former Liberty University standout has already stepped in to start a handful of games this season when Tannehill was injured.

Willis is 1-2 as a starter and hasn’t quite shown the franchise he’s ready to take the reins as a future starter.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis passes against the Houston Texans during the first half of a game on October 30, 2022 in Houston.
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Willis completed 50.8% of his passes for 276 yards and three interceptions.

Willis was considered a college fresh out project and has yet to develop as a passer. The rookie was an exceptional runner at the collegiate level.

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Willis has rushed for 123 yards and has one rushing touchdown this season.

Dobbs has been in the NFL since 2017 and spent his early years with the Steelers. Since then, he’s mostly been a journeyman, mostly serving as a back-up with the Jaguars, Browns and Lions. He joined the Steelers in 2020.

During his career, Dobbs completed 10 passes for 45 yards and one interception.

Joshua Dobbs of the Cleveland Browns warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
(Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Thursday’s game with the Cowboys is mostly inconsequential for Tennessee in terms of its playoff hopes this season.

Tennessee can afford to lose Thursday’s game and make the playoffs. The outcome of the Titans’ Week 18 game against the Jaguars will determine the AFC South winner.

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Titans head coach Mike Vrabel previously ruled out Jeffery Simmons and other key contributors for Thursday night. Star running back Derrick Henry was officially listed as doubtful ahead of the game and is also not expected to play.