MIAMI — Titans starting quarterback Will Levis suffered a right shoulder injury while diving for a first down in the first quarter of Tennessee’s 31-12 win over the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football.”
Levis was scrambling on third down and landed awkwardly on his shoulder as he dove for the first-down marker. He went straight to the medical tent as the Titans’ special teams unit took the field to punt.
Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph came out with the offense on the Titans’ next series with 4:14 left in the first quarter. He led Tennessee on three scoring drives, resulting in a 9-6 score at halftime.
The Titans said Levis was questionable to return — with coach Brian Callahan noting during his halftime interview, “If he can play, he’ll go” — but Rudolph remained at quarterback when the Tennessee offense took the field for their first series of the second half. He stayed in the game as the Titans added to their lead.
Rudolph finished 9-of-17 passing for 85 yards as Tennessee picked up its first win of the season. The Titans also scored at least 30 points for the first time in 1,002 days.
After the game, Callahan said the decision to stick with Rudolph was about not wanting to risk further injury to Levis, who could be seen grimacing on the sideline as he tried tossing the football.
“It was not a decision based on anything other than his health and protecting him, particularly with the bye week and a shoulder that didn’t feel great,” Callahan said. “I didn’t want to put him back out there, and I knew I was gonna run the ball quite a bit.”
He added: “He’s our starter when he’s healthy and we’re ready to roll with him.”
Before he was injured, Levis threw his sixth interception, tying him with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson for most in the NFL. Levis’ nine turnovers (six interceptions, three fumbles) are also a league high.
The Titans have a bye Sunday, then host the Colts on Oct. 13.
