NASHVILLE – Titans Coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference on Friday, one day after the team's 20-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here's a look at the biggest topics from the presser:
-The first question right out of the gate centered on rookie Will Levis, and the team's quarterback situation. Vrabel was asked if he's ready to name Levis the team's starting quarterback. "No, I'm not ready to do that yet," Vrabel responded. "I think we'll have a conversation about the depth chart over the weekend, and we'll have a depth chart or something close to it available when we talk to you on Tuesday to be able to go through the moving parts of not only Ryan (Tannehill's) health, but (other positions as well)." In two games, Levis has thrown for 500 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Tannehill is still recovering from a high ankle sprain he suffered against the Ravens on October 15. Vrabel said the coaching staff will be looking to see who gives the team the best chance to win not just at quarterback, but at every position. "When Ryan is healthy," Vrabel said, "I'll have a decision for you."
-Levis completed 22-of-39 passes for 262 yards and an interception against the Steelers. But Vrabel said "there were some good plays, and there were some decisions that we can't make" while pointing out some other questionable decisions or throws made by the rookie quarterback. "Throwing the ball into Cover 2 down the sideline," Vrabel said, "isn't something that's going to be very advantageous offensively if you are trying to take care of the football."
-Vrabel said he's been in communication with receiver Treylon Burks, who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter on Thursday night. "He's on his way in," Vrabel said of Burks. "He is in concussion protocol. There was a brief loss of consciousness, that's why (medical personnel) reacted in the manner in which they did. It sounds like everybody did exactly what they were supposed to do based on the protocol and making sure Treylon's well being was looked over as quickly and correctly as possible."
-Vrabel said it's too early to know about the health moving forward on the offensive line. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Peter Skoronski, Daniel Brunskill and Andre Dillard all left the game at one point, leading to some shuffling. Corey Levin, Dillon Radunz and Jaelyn Duncan all came off the bench and played. Petit-Frere did not return because of his shoulder injury. "It's too soon right now," Vrabel said. "Guys are just getting MRIs. Give Daniel Brunskill a lot of credit for competing, and fighting through some sort of injury. Nick couldn't finish, and pretty much all of them went down for a snap or two. We'll know more after this weekend, and how everyone is feeling." Vrabel said right tackle Chris Hubbard could return to practice next week and be removed from concussion protocol.
-The Titans gave up 166 rushing yards on Thursday night, with Steelers running back Jaylen Warren rushing for 88 yards, and Najee Harris piling up 69 more. Vrabel said the Titans "have to fit better, we have to get off blocks."
-The Titans are 3-5 with nine games left on the schedule. The team has lost three games by a combined 11 points (1 point at Saints, 7 points at Indianapolis, 3 points at Pittsburgh). On the horizon: Back-to-back road games in the state of Florida, at Tampa Bay (Nov. 12) and at Jacksonville (Nov. 19). "We are halfway through," Vrabel said. "We have some ground to make up, but you do it one game at a time, one practice at a time. I am confident we'll do that, and figure out a way to win on the road, which has avoided us up to this point for a number of reasons. We just have to be a little bit better in all phases."
