QB Uncertainty: Will Levis Misses Wednesday, Thursday Practices
The 5-9 Titans released a lengthy injury report on Thursday, featuring 11 players who did not practice. The extensive list includes starting quarterback Will Levis (ankle), who has started 8 games in his rookie campaign. Levis went down in the Titans' 19-16 loss to the Houston Texas on Sunday. The Kentucky alum did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. On the year, Levis has completed 147 of 249 passes for 1,792 yards and eight passing touchdowns, scoring another on the ground.
Following Wednesday's practice, Coach Mike Vrabel discussed Levis' status and the possibility of 12-year veteran Ryan Tannehill starting on Sunday against Seattle.
"We will see how he goes throughout the week," said Vrabel. "(Will) is like every other player that won't (practice), they're doing everything they can do to get back and then we'll have to make a decision on their availability based on their health. Ryan would be the quarterback if Will is unavailable."
Tannehill spent the first-six seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins, before joining the Titans in 2019. The 35-year-old has played in seven contests in 2023, completing 98 of 158 passes for 1,128 yards and two touchdowns. Levis will get another chance to test his ankle in Friday's practice.
Denico Autry: Career Year
Year 10 has been a career-best for Titans defensive end Denico Autry, who has his first double-digit sack season (11) through 14 games played. The Mississippi State alum has recorded eight-plus sacks in all three of his seasons spent with Tennessee. Autry went undrafted in 2014, before joining the Raiders. After recording 10.5 sacks across four seasons in the Bay Area, Autry recorded 20 sacks in three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before joining Tennessee in 2019. Autry has recorded five sacks in four games, in addition to being a viable threat on special teams.
In Week 14, Autry recorded his second blocked field goal attempt of the season in Tennessee's 28-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Seattle will look to slow down Tennessee's leading pass rusher, as the veteran continues a breakout year.
Derrick Henry: King of the Throne
Eighth-year Titans running back Derrick Henry is 116 yards shy of recording the fifth 1,000-yard season of his career, notably rushing for 2,027 yards in 2020. The Alabama alum hasn't recorded many big-yardage games in 2023, reaching the 100-yard mark three times in 14 contests. But Henry has been finding his way to the endzone, as he's recorded six touchdowns in his last four games. Despite rushing for just 45 yards on his last 33 carries, Henry has managed to score in bunches. Seattle will look to prevent Henry from finding success on the ground in a must-win contest for playoff contention.
DeAndre Hopkins: Sustained Success
The Seahawks will look to prevent 31-year-old Titans wideout DeAndre Hopkins from recording the sixth 1,000-yard season of his career. Through 14 games played, Hopkins has 59 receptions for 919 yards and six touchdowns. In 2016, the Houston Texans selected Hopkins in the first round, leading to seven seasons with the franchise. After three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Hopkins continues to shine in Year 1 with the Titans. Hopkins has seen an increase in targets in the month of December, being thrown at 33 times in three games. Seattle will look to prevent Hopkins from getting active, as he ranks No. 14 league-wide in targets.
Offensive Struggles: Moving the Chains
The 5-9 Titans come into Week 16's matchup in search of more offensive production, as they rank No. 26 in offensive yards per game (293.7). Despite averaging 104 yards per game on the ground (18th), they rank in the bottom-10 in passing yardage average (189.7).
Jeffery Simmons: Knee
The Titans have been without standout defensive end Jeffery Simmons since he went down with a knee injury in Week 13's 31-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The fifth-year Mississippi State alum has recorded 5.5 sacks through 12 games, marking his third-consecutive season with five-plus quarterback takedowns. After missing two games, Simmons did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Seahawks practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
Seahawks at practice on a foggy afternoon at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Dec. 21, 2023.
