Tag: malik willis

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Reports: Packers QB Jordan Love expected to start vs. Lions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is expected to start Sunday’s game against the visiting Detroit Lions, multiple media outlets reported on Saturday.

Love was listed as questionable with a groin injury he sustained in the Packers’ 30-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. Fellow quarterback Malik Willis replaced Love in the third quarter and led Green Bay (6-2) to its fourth straight win.

Love did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and was a limited participant in the sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Love completed 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards with one interception last Sunday. Willis went 4 of 5 for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Love, who turned 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) looks over the New Orleans Saints defense during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Packers acquiring QB Malik Willis for seventh-round pick in 2025

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The Tennessee Titans are trading quarterback Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Willis, 25, could be the backup to Jordan Love, who became the Packers’ starter last season and signed a four-year, $220 million contract during training camp. Behind Love are Sean Clifford, a second-year player taken in the fifth round in 2023 out of Penn State, and Michael Pratt, a rookie out of Tulane drafted in the seventh round in April.

Projected as a possible first-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Liberty, Willis went in the third round as the third quarterback selected overall. He has played in 11 games in two seasons, starting three with a 1-2 record.

Willis has completed 35 of 66 passes (53 percent) for 350 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed 42 times for 144 yards and one touchdown.

He was third on the Titans’ depth chart behind incumbent starter Will Levis, 25, a second-round pick in 2023, and veteran Mason Rudolph, 29, who signed as a free agent in March.

–FIeld Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) runs after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton ejected; Titans QB Ryan Tannehill injured

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Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was ejected from Sunday’s game in London following a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Moore.

Also, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill sustained an apparent ankle injury during the third quarter. He was able to finish Tennessee’s drive, however second-year quarterback Malik Willis replaced him to start the fourth quarter.

Hamilton hit Moore during the pass attempt with 8:37 remaining in the third quarter, resulting in flags being thrown following the incompletion.

Moore, who spent his first five seasons with the Ravens, struggled to get to his feet and needed to be assisted off the field.

Hamilton, 22, entered Sunday’s contest with 24 tackles, three sacks and one interception in five games (all starts) this season.

He has 86 tackles, five sacks and one pick in 21 career games (nine starts) since being selected 14th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Titans QB Joshua Dobbs to start vs. Cowboys

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Joshua Dobbs will make his first career NFL start in Thursday’s game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, multiple media outlets reported.

Dobbs reportedly is getting the nod over rookie Malik Willis for Tennessee, which is without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill due to an ankle injury.

As for the Cowboys (11-4), NFL Network reported running back Tony Pollard is expected to be inactive for Thursday’s contest. Pollard has been unable to participate in practice all week due to a thigh injury.

The Titans (7-8) can improve their record but risk injury while gaining no ground in playoff positioning until the Jan. 8 winner-take-all AFC South showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even if the Jaguars beat the Houston Texans on Sunday to improve to 8-8, and should Tennessee lose Thursday, the division title would still be on the line when the teams meet head-to-head.

Dobbs, 27, was signed by the Titans off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Dec. 21. He began the season with the Cleveland Browns, who parted ways with him after Deshaun Watson joined the roster following his 11-game suspension.

He appeared in six games with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2018 and 2020 seasons, completing 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards with one interception.

Dobbs returns to the state where he played in college at Tennessee from 2013-16 and threw for more than 7,000 yards.

Willis, 23, completed just 14 of 23 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions in Tennessee’s 19-14 loss to the Houston Texans last Saturday. He is completing just 50.8 percent of his passes for 276 yards with three picks in eight games this season.

Pollard, 25, sits 12 rushing yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Teammate Ezekiel Elliott has 829 yards and 11 touchdowns, including scores in eight consecutive games.

Pollard has a team-leading 12 total touchdowns (nine rushing, three receiving). The 2022 Pro Bowl selection was limited to nine carries for 19 yards last week, when the Cowboys rallied to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, and McCarthy said Malik Davis would see more reps in this week’s prep sessions.

Davis has 23 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season.

Dallas is the top wild-card team in the NFC and maintains the slimmest hope of catching Philadelphia in the East division.

The Cowboys can win the NFC East if the Eagles lose their final two games and Dallas beats the Titans and Washington Commanders. Philadelphia (13-2) locks up the division and home-field advantage throughout conference playoffs with a victory Sunday against the New Orleans Saints (6-9).

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle) out for regular season

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If the Tennessee Titans are to make the NFL playoffs, they’ll do it without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Multiple outlets reported Saturday that Tannehill underwent surgery this week to treat his high right ankle sprain and will miss the rest of the regular season. It was unclear whether he’d be recovered in time for the playoffs, should the Titans (7-7) get there.

The Titans host the Houston Texans (1-12-1) on Saturday and will turn to rookie quarterback Malik Willis, who went 1-1 when he subbed for Tannehill earlier this season.

Tennessee has lost four games in a row and find the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) chasing it for the AFC South title. The Titans face the Dallas Cowboys next week and close with the Jaguars.

Tannehill hurt his ankle absorbing a hit from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack in a Week 15 loss.

In his fourth season with the Titans, the 34-year-old Tannehill has passed for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions in 12 games.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) throws a pass during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Titans Ota 040

QB Malik Willis, Titans agree to contract terms

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis agreed to the terms of his rookie deal, putting the entire nine-member 2022 class under contract on the day rookies are set to report to training camp, the team said Saturday.

The Titans drafted Willis in the third round (86th overall) out of Liberty University.

Willis, 23, has backed up incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside during Tennessee’s offseason workouts and minicamp.

Willis broke his own single-season touchdown record at Liberty in 2021, accounting for 27 passing and 13 rushing TDs.

He was responsible for 65.9 percent of the Flames’ total of 5,671 yards, throwing for 2,857 yards and running for 878 more on 197 carries.

The veterans are scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (QB16) goes through a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks nowhere to be found in 2nd round of NFL draft

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On a night when many anticipated an early run on quarterbacks, NFL teams instead turned to virtually every other position.

Teams that seemingly needed a young quarterback such as the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons both passed twice on drafting a signal-caller in round two of the NFL draft Friday night.

That left QBs such as Liberty’s Malik Willis, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral and North Carolina’s Sam Howell all waiting to hear their name called as the Las Vegas event moved into round three.

One of the most popular positions once again was wide receiver, as seven were picked in the second round after six wideouts were chosen in Thursday’s first round.

Only one quarterback was chosen in the first round — Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began Round 2 by choosing Houston defensive end Logan Hall. The pick originally belonged to the Jacksonville Jaguars before they moved up six slots in a trade with Tampa Bay on Thursday evening, allowing Tampa Bay to kick off Thursday night’s action.

The Green Bay Packers then traded up to select Aaron Rodgers’ newest weapon, North Dakota State wideout Christian Watson. The Packers sent two second-round picks (Nos. 53 and 59) to the Minnesota Vikings to move up for Watson.

Two picks later, the New York Jets traded up with their crosstown rival Giants to choose Iowa State’s Breece Hall, the first running back off the board in the 2022 draft. Thursday marked the first time since 2014 that no running back was selected in the opening round.

Many expected Seattle to choose a quarterback with either the 40th or 41st pick with Russell Wilson now in Denver. However, the Seahawks opted to go with a pair of Big Ten standouts — Minnesota linebacker Boye Mafe and Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.

Meanwhile, Atlanta had a pair of second-round picks and chose two defensive players — Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie at No. 38 and Montana State linebacker Troy Andersen 20 picks later.

The New England Patriots (Baylor’s Tyquan Thornton at No. 50), Pittsburgh Steelers (Georgia’s George Pickens at No. 52) and Kansas City Chiefs (Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore at No. 54) chose wide receivers in Round 2.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs past Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Jerron Cage (86) during the first quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes Football

NFL Draft: Best available prospects entering Day 2

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The 2022 NFL Draft is 32 picks old, but another 230 lie ahead across Friday and Saturday.

The draft resumes in Las Vegas on Friday at 7 p.m. ET with the start of the second round, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold the 33rd overall pick after a trade Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here’s our overview of the best prospects who still remain on the board with Day 1 in the rearview mirror.

1. Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
One of the most well-rounded players left in the draft, Muma is a do-it-all defender who has the athleticism to play in space and the physicality to take on blockers.

2. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The top tight end in the class, McBride’s lack of elite receiving upside kept him out of Day 1, but he should hear his name called early on Day 2.

3. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
A gunslinger with all-world tools but an extreme lack of polish. Willis makes a lot of sense as a developmental pick in the early second.

4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Workhorse backs don’t come around often, but Walker has the traits to be one. He is a savvy runner who can make defenders miss and create his own yardage.

5. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
A blazing fast 4.44 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine matched the on-field showings from the uber-athletic Harris. His potential is sky high.

6. Drake Jackson, OLB, Southern California
Jackson is long and limber with the flexibility to slip past blocks. He could contribute immediately as a rookie pass-rusher.

7. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Looming injury questions may be the root of Booth’s fall out of the first round. If he returns fully healthy, he could make teams regret passing on him.

8. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Gordon is a natural mover with great agility and body control for the position. His upside will likely draw a premium pick on Day 2.

9. Jaquan Brisker, SS, Penn State
Big, fast, and physical. Brisker isn’t an elite matchup piece, but he has the traits to be a long-term starter and mean run defender.

10. Logan Hall, DT, Houston
Tweeners who aren’t clear-cut defensive tackles scare some NFL teams, but Hall’s body control and refined pass-rush package are likely to get a bite.

11. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
12. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
13. Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
14. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
15. Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
16. Nick Cross, FS, Maryland
17. Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
18. David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
19. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
20. Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
21. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
22. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
23. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
24. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
25. DeMarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M
26. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
27. Brian Asamoah II, LB, Oklahoma
28. Jalen Pitre, SS, Baylor
29. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
30. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

–By Mark Jarvis, Field Level Media

Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (QB16) goes through a drill during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Malik Willis favored over Kenny Pickett to be first QB taken in draft

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The oddsmakers like Liberty quarterback Malik Willis to be the first quarterback selected in this week’s NFL draft.

The margin between Willis and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett is close, but Willis is the narrow favorite at multiple sportsbooks as of Tuesday, two days before the first round is held in Las Vegas.

Willis was the -190 favorite at DraftKings, with Pickett also owning reasonably short odds at +170. At BetMGM, Willis opened at -155 and Pickett was next at +130.

Then there is a considerable gap between them and the third option, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder. Ridder stood at +800 at BetMGM and +1000 at DraftKings. Matt Corral of Ole Miss was fourth (+1600 at BetMGM, +1800 at DraftKings).

Willis led the Flames in both passing and rushing in 2021, putting up 2,857 passing yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 878 yards and 13 more scores. He guided the Flames to an 8-5 record and a 56-20 victory in the LendingTree Bowl over Eastern Michigan.

Pickett burst onto the national scene in his senior season, leading Pitt to its first ACC championship and being named a Heisman Trophy finalist. He ranked fifth in the nation in passing yards (4,319) and third in passing touchdowns (42).

The top five teams in the draft order — the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Jets and New York Giants — are not expected to take a quarterback. The Carolina Panthers, at No. 6 overall, are the first team that may be interested in a quarterback.

The Atlanta Falcons (eighth overall) and Seattle Seahawks (ninth) are also in the market for a quarterback after trading away Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson, respectively.

–Field Level Media