Will Levis Out for Season After Surgery for Shoulder Injury, Cam Ward to Be Titans QB1

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is scheduled to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, the team announced Monday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Levis was dealing with shoulder issues during the 2024 season and the pain never completely went away.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the signal-caller sustained the injury "early last year" before he ended up "further aggravating it later in the season."

Incoming rookie Cam Ward is now "poised" to become Tennessee's starter in 2025, per Schefter. "The Titans other backup QBs are veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Ward now shapes up as the Week 1 starter at Denver."

Levis' procedure is scheduled for July 29, per the team's official website.

The 26-year-old suffered an AC joint sprain in Week 4 of the 2024 season after diving for a first down against the Miami Dolphins. While Levis initially returned in Week 6 after Tennessee's bye, he missed the team's next three games due to his shoulder.

He discussed managing the injury at the end of the regular season.

"I went through so much stuff on my body this year on top of everything else, that a lot of people don't even know about it," Levis told reporters on Jan. 5. "I mean the shoulder being the most mentally and physically anguishing and just knowing everything I've had to deal with as a quarterback."

The former second-round pick appeared in 12 games with the Titans last season, completing 63.1 percent of his throws for 2,091 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 12 interceptions.

Tennessee's starting quarterback job is now expected to go to Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The 23-year-old was reportedly impressive during the team's rookie minicamp, although he wasn't automatically given the top spot on the Titans' depth chart.

Ward will likely open Week 1 of the upcoming season under center, especially given Levis' impending surgery.