Tennessee Titans preparing Malik Wills if Ryan Tannehill can't play against Houston Texans

The Tennessee Titans are preparing backup rookie quarterback Malik Willis to play Sunday (3:05 p.m., CBS) against the Houston Texans if Ryan Tannehill is unable, offensive coordinator Todd Downing said Thursday.

Tannehill injured his right ankle in last Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. He returned to the game after the injury but did not practice Wednesday. He returned to the practice field Thursday with his ankle heavily taped.

Willis, a third-round draft pick from Liberty, replaced Tannehill at quarterback for one play. Willis also saw action as a receiver.

The only other game Willis has played in was late against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. But Downey said Willis and Tannehill have both been involved in the preparation this week and allowing both to operate the offense can be challenging.

"It's two different players with two different skill sets," Downing said. "My job's always to put players in the best position to succeed so that we can mix and match some things."

There are certain constants no matter which quarterback is on the field. But each player's strengths also have to be catered to depending on which ends up playing.

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"We try to run our offense and have a foundation so there are certain elements that no matter who is under center we expect the operation to flow a certain way and look a certain way," Downing said. "There is definitely a balance there and as you're progressing through the week it's how much do you want to dabble in would be there if it was one or the other? As we approach game day that picture will clear up a little bit more."

Tannehill said Wednesday the injury has improved, but it is not completely healed and he still has "a little ways to go," before he'll be ready to play.

Willis said he is preparing to play regardless of Tannehill's status.

"As far as playing the quarterback position goes you've got to prepare as if you're going to be the starter because you just have to know so much," Willis said. "You just have to stay in that lane of thought and continue to progress everyday. You're doing everything that Ryan would do and preparing yourself to play."

Downey said Tannehill will be given every opportunity to play before the decision is made to go with Willis. That decision, however, may not be made before Sunday.

"Ryan's a pro. It's not as much about physically having to go through those things," Downey said. "He's mentality prepared; he always is and he knows how to get himself ready to go from that standpoint. We'll see how he progresses and I'm sure they'll let me know before kickoff."

Titans leading receiver Robert Woods said working with Willis this week has helped relieve any concerns about Willis' ability to step in against the Texans (1-4-1).

"We're confident in Malik," Woods said. "He still has to execute the same game plan; still has to put us in good position to win. Obviously, we have to step up and make him feel comfortable. Really, we're just asking Malik to play his game, allow him to be comfortable and make good throws when he needs to."

With the quarterback position in flux, the offense will likely rely even more heavily on running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for a season-high 128 yards on a season-high 30 carries against the Colts and helped the Titans improve to 4-2. Henry has rushed for at least 100 yards in the last three games.

Some of Henry's biggest games have come against the Texans, who are last in the NFL in rushing defense at 164.7 yards allowed per game.

He rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns in the first game against Houston in 2020 and 250 yards and two touchdowns in the second. He rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the second game against the Texans in 2019. He missed both games in 2021 with a foot injury.

"Every year's different," Henry said. "I really don't try to live in the past. I had some good games, but you can't go out there and expect anything."

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans prepare Malik Wills if Ryan Tannehill can't play Sunday