Josh Dobbs

In his first career start, the sixth-year NFL veteran connected with multiple receivers for big gains in a loss to the Dallas Cowbys.

“It was good to get out there and get this opportunity because the next one is for all the marbles, man,” Dobbs said. “It’s little things situationally that I’m aware of that I’d like to get better,” said Dobbs, a fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2017. To have that opportunity is one you never take for granted. I’m going to be excited to dive into the tape with the coaches, and continue to grow and improve as quickly as possible to give the team the best chance we have to win.” “Of course, that comes with reps, being out there and getting hit for the first time in a while. The victor in that game claims the AFC South title and a playoff berth, no matter what Jacksonville does this Sunday against Houston. That total would have been higher had Woods not dropped what should have been a mid-range completion in the first quarter. But Woods atoned later in the game, catching Dobbs’ first NFL touchdown pass – a seven-yard completion that cut Dallas’ lead to 17-13 in the third quarter. But the former University of Tennessee standout injected much-needed production and energy into the Titans’ aerial attack, finishing with 20 completions in 39 attempts for 232 yards and one touchdown – good for a 67.5 quarterback rating. “He played his game,” Woods said. A sixth-year pro making his first NFL start, Dobbs looked like a clear step up from Willis, a third-round pick in this year's draft. Just got to carry that momentum into next week.”

The Titans needed to know whether Josh Dobbs gave them a better chance than Malik Willis to beat the Jaguars. Despite losing to Dallas, Dobbs looks like the ...

[ National Football League](/stories/nfl/nfl-playoff-picture-whos-in-whos-still-in-the-hunt) He covered the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. Rookie [Malik Willis](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/malik-willis-player) should remain benched. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. [Josh Dobbs](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/joshua-dobbs-player) joined the [Titans](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/tennessee-titans-team) eight days ago, signed off the Lions' practice squad to Tennessee’s 53-man roster. "Being able to make those plays throughout the game, hopefully that will propel us into this upcoming week, where we’ll actually have a full week to prepare for the game." Willis is clearly the more physically gifted player, possessing a dynamic running ability and a knack for off-platform throws. And before Thursday’s game against the [Cowboys](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys-team), he hadn’t taken a regular-season NFL snap since January 2021. He avoided and averted disaster on the same play, scooping up the ball after being stripped and then nearly getting picked off on a throw-away. Excited to dive into the tape with the coaches and continue to grow and improve as quickly as possible to give the team the best chance that we have to win." He had two near interceptions and two fumbles, including one lost, in the first half. The veteran completed 51.3% of his passes (20-of-39) for 232 yards, including 143 by halftime, and his first career touchdown against a Cowboys defense playing all of its top guys.

Tennessee signed Dobbs, 27, off the Lions' practice squad last week. This will be his first start of his NFL career.

Dobbs has also spent time with the [Jaguars](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/jaguars/) and [Browns](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/browns/). [Steelers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/steelers/) drafted Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Barring a miraculous stretch of healing for Ryan Tannehill’s ankle, Dobbs will be the guy to try to bring a third straight division title to Nashville. Willis went 14-of-23 passing for 99 yards, two interceptions, four sacks and one rushing touchdown during the Titans’ Week 16 loss to the [Texans](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/texans/). Dobbs has not pushed seriously to be an NFL starter, but right now, he projects as a better option than Willis, who was supposed to get a redshirt season when he was taken in the third round. Among all QBs who have started at least three games in a single season since 2000, none have averaged fewer pass completions per start (8.33) or passing yards per start (78) than Willis.

The Tennessee Titans brought Josh Dobbs back to the Volunteer State, and now it appears they'll give him his first NFL start as well.

The Titans must reach the AFC title game for Tannehill to return this season. The former Tennessee Volunteers star has appeared in six games in his pro career, playing in five with the Steelers in 2018 and one in 2020. The Titans now have 22 players on injured reserve. 11 in Nashville, in the final week. Both the Cowboys and the Titans are chasing division titles with two regular-season games remaining, but their paths are different. Kickoff is set for 8:15, and the game will be shown on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service.