Titans giving rookie Malik Willis loads of taking part in time, however nonetheless view him as ‘developmental’ QB

Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis impressed in restricted time through the group’s Thursday evening preseason recreation. Willis ran the offense for the primary half towards the Ravens and ran one play within the second half earlier than taking his place on the sideline.

The third-round choose accomplished six of 11 go makes an attempt for 107 yards. Mirroring the taking part in kinds of the quarterbacks on the other sideline, Willis added 38 yards dashing with a landing on 5 carries. He was sacked twice however managed to not flip the ball over in simply over two quarters of play.

Regardless of the taking part in time he’s acquired to this point this preseason, Willis is “very clearly the developmental quarterback” within the eyes of the Titans, in response to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Whereas Tennessee is blissful along with his progress and can proceed to let him get adjusted to the pace of the sport this preseason, the prevailing sense is that Willis will likely be stashed for a little bit of a redshirt 12 months. There doesn’t appear to be any concepts of forcing Willis onto the sphere in any Wildcat-type packages, as has been completed with different dual-threat quarterbacks previously.

Listed below are a pair different rumors from the AFC South, each hailing from the Hoosier state:

• Devin Funchess is making an attempt to make a robust comeback this 12 months with a slight place shift. After spending the primary 5 years of his profession as a large receiver, Funchess has spent the offseason working with the tight ends in Detroit. Funchess is seeking to discover his first regular-season recreation motion since a damaged collarbone sidelined him in his first recreation with the Colts in 2019. Funchess joined Indianapolis on a one-year, $10M deal, reportedly, so he might “be the highest red-zone goal” for then quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck shocked the world, together with Funchess, when he retired a number of months later. In an interview with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Funchess remarked, “It was sort of a whirlwind having Andrew Luck retire on me. I went there mainly for him. Turned down different alternatives and much more cash to go play with him, in order that was sort of a psychological pressure on me for that entire 12 months.”
• After spending time with 4 totally different franchises in his first six seasons, defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue believes he has discovered a real residence in Indianapolis, in response to Zak Keefer of The Athletic. Ngakoue is among the league’s extra prolific pass-rushers, accumulating 55.5 sacks in his six years of play and by no means lacking multiple recreation in a season. Regardless of his continued success dashing the passer, Ngakoue has had hassle discovering a group that may make a long-term dedication to him. Nicely, after solely a few months within the state, Ngakoue appears to assume he’s discovered the place he’d most like to remain. “There’s simply one thing about Indiana,” Ngakoue advised Keefer. “That is undoubtedly the place I need to be. That is the place I’d like to retire.” If he continues his dominance over this two-year take care of the Colts, they need to be greater than prepared to meet that want.