Josh Dobbs is expected to start for Titans on Thursday

USA TODAY Sports

With Ryan Tannehill out with an ankle injury, the Titans are looking at someone other than third-round rookie Malik Willis to play for them at quarterback.

According to multiple reports, Josh Dobbs is expected to start for Tennessee against Dallas on Thursday night.

Dobbs just joined the Titans on Dec. 21, signing with the club off of the Lions’ practice squad. Dobbs began the year with the Browns but was let go when Deshaun Watson was placed on the roster following his 11-game suspension.

Originally a Steelers fourth-round pick in 2017, Dobbs has been around the league for a while but has never made a start. He’s made six career appearances, completing 10-of-17 passes for 45 yards with an interception.

Dobbs has also spent time with the Jaguars.

While he’s appeared in eight games with three starts, Willis has not looked ready to play as a rookie. Last week against Houston, he finished 14-o-23 for 99 yards with a pair of interceptions. He had 43 yards on seven carries but was also sacked four times.

Overall, Willis has completed just 51 percent of his passes for 276 yards with three picks and he’s rushed for 123 yards with one TD. He has a 42.8 passer rating.

20 responses to “Josh Dobbs is expected to start for Titans on Thursday

  1. I know Dobbs has bounced around and rotted behind Mason and Big Ben. He looked real solid for Cleveland in the preseason. He got out and threw on the run good, he also makes teams account for his legs. Wills is lost, he got pushed up draft boards on measurables. You just knew he was going to be a project.

  2. Dobbs is a good QB. It’s amazing that some QBs get 3-4 years to prove themselves, while others are lucky to get 3-4 series’s.

  3. I was soooo fearful the Steelers would reach for Willis in round 1. Media hyped that one badly. Whew.

  4. I’m not a Malik believer. But, if you are giving Malik time to develop, having him as the #2 was malpractice. Titans were the #1 seed last year, so you have to think you are still going to compete even after losing at brown. Since the titans came into the season competing for the playoffs and potentially more, they should have had a solid backup to begin with. Just malpractice.

  5. Don’t expect a Baker Mayfield type of performance, just Tennessee grasping at someone available. Apparent that Willis is more of a project, which everyone knew coming in to the season except the Titans.

  6. I’m not sure if Willis is ever going to be a legit threat from the pocket. He’s looks inept back there. He’s athletic sure but he can’t make you pay with his arm. He could be a nice gadget dude though.

  7. “pftpro says:
    December 29, 2022 at 2:12 pm
    This guy could turn out to be really good…the Steelers will look really stupid if he is.”

    Uh, no. When he was with the Steelers they gave him chances in their preseason games and he did not deliver. He was disappointingly poor. So he was third string.

  8. Titans will be blown out tonight. Titans looking forward to vacation time. Dobbs will throw at least 3 interceptions in critical situations. Parsons should have at least 4 sacks tonight. How About dem Cowboys!

  9. Many said the Steelers should have drafted him, but clearly he’s not ready. Pickett was chosen because he was the most pro-ready and I think that appears the case. Willis could still become a star, though. Titans are doing the right thing bring Dobbs out. Why blow the Willis’ confidence at this point. It’s probably taken a bit of a hit as it is, but better to hold him back than ruin him.

  10. This actually makes sense. This game isn’t important to the Titans playoff hopes because they just need to win their last game and they win the division. Willis obviously isn’t ready so this gives Dobbs a game to get ready for the all or nothing game the following week.

  11. With Jon Robinson gone, Willis will be cut in the offseason. I’m on the fence about Tannehill, though. 2023 might be the highest draft pick the Titans get while Vrabel is the head coach, so I expect them to go QB in the first round. If so, do they start him right away or let him sit behind Ryan for a year? TN usually takes it slow with rookies, but Tannehill’s cap hit hurts. They could cut him and sign some Vrabel-approved talent. At any rate, we won’t be seeing Wills suiting up in two-tone next season.

  12. Anybody that says Dobbs is good, clearly haven’t watched him in the NFL. He’s horrible. He’s your typical 1 read and run qb that can’t work through progressions from the pocket… that being said, he’s still better then Willis.

  13. Come on people. He’s facing the Cowboys tonight. He’ll probably have a decent game, Dak will throw multiple interceptions and the Titans will hang around late with a chance to win. It’s what the Cowboys do.

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