Titans to start QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Cowboys
Dobbs left the Detroit Lions’ practice squad eight days ago to start for rookie Malik Willis, who has struggled in three starts this season. This will be Dobbs’ first NFL start of his career.
The news was first reported by Draft Network.
Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill will miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the postseason after undergoing surgery for a sprained right ankle last week.
A third-round pick in this year’s draft, Willis failed to complete a 100-yard pass or a touchdown pass in any of his three starts in place of Tannehill. The Titans are 1-2 in his start despite Willis completing his 50.8% of passes and intercepting passes his three times. He rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown.
“Ash [Willis] Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing said this week: out. ”
Tennessee ruled out a number of starters in their game against the Cowboys, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. Plus, Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry is questionable for the game.
Mike Vrabel’s team is on a five-game losing streak. A win over Dallas would be a shocking morale boost, but the Titans (7-8) will be in a divisive situation next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) regardless of Thursday’s result.
Dobbs appeared in six regular season games during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. In those games he had 45 yards in 10 of 17 pass attempts and had one interception.
Dobbs was with the Cleveland Browns this season, but did not appear in a game. When Deshawn Watson was added to the active roster after being suspended for 11 games, he was cut by the team.
“He’s a very bright young man who works hard to understand everything,” said Downing. “There’s a certain amount of familiarity and carry-over to the terminology from when he was in Cleveland. I was with him. [Browns] coach [Kevin] I’d like to teach Stefanski from Minnesota a little “Spanish to English”. As long as I can identify what he’s happy with, I think that determines the volume. ”
ESPN’s Ed Werder and Turron Davenport contributed to this report.