A surprising questionable designation has led to a looming absence for the Titans' QB1.
Will Levis will be inactive for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills due to a right shoulder injury, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday, meaning Mason Rudolph will get the start.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport added that Levis is dealing with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain and is considered week to week, so he could miss beyond the one contest.
Levis began the lead-up to Sunday's game as a limited practice participant on Wednesday, but after he practiced in full on Thursday as he had all the week prior, it seemed that was likely to rest his shoulder following his first game back after injuring it in Week 4 against the Dolphins.
Only Levis was again limited Friday, after which he received a questionable designation heading into the weekend.
Provided a Week 5 bye to recover initially, Tennessee's signal-caller had no designation ahead of the team's eventual 20-17 loss to the Colts in Week 6, a contest that again showcased Levis' inconsistencies as he completed just 59.3 percent of his 27 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown and interception apiece.
That outing brought his season totals to 699 passing yards, five touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 70.7 passer rating with a 1-4 record.
Sunday will now mark Rudolph's first start as a Titan, but he also stepped up when Levis departed Monday Night Football versus Miami. He went 9 of 17 for 85 yards in the eventual 31-12 victory.
While Rudolph was far from flashy in relief three weeks ago, he protected the ball -- something Levis has proven incapable of thus far -- allowing Tennessee's Tony Pollard-led running game to take over.
Such a conservative approach might not be as feasible if the Titans have to chase points against a Bills team that's sixth in the league in scoring, and it remains to be seen how Rudolph meshes with targets like DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd given more volume.
Still, the Titans will have to hope their 29-year-old backup can find a way to end another game with a victory. Otherwise, Tennessee will be staring at a fifth loss through just six games played, with a gargantuan hill to climb for even a shot at the playoffs.
Tennessee (1-4) and Buffalo (4-2) kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
