Malik Willis made his NFL debut on Thursday night with the Tennessee Titans. The former Liberty quarterback got the start in the first preseason game for Tennessee as they were in Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
Willis, who was officially listed as third on the Titans’ depth chart released this week, got off to a slow start before turning things around. He misfired on his first three pass attempts as the Titans went three and out twice and the running back fumbled on the team’s first three possessions.
After the slow start, Willis and the Titans would quickly turn things around. He completed his next four passes and six of his next eight to finish the first half at 6 of 11 passing for 107 yards. He was sacked twice for a loss of 13 yards while carrying the ball four times for 21 yards and a touchdown.
He made his first NFL highlight and scored his first NFL touchdown with a seven yard naked bootleg to his left where he evaded a pass rusher and ran threw two defenders to get into the end zone.
MALIK WILLIS HAS ARRIVED.
📱: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL+ https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/Namb3PRZIv
— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022
Following the touchdown run, Malik’s next offensive play was a deep pass play as he delivered a strike to the receiver for the completion.
Malik Willis has a rushing Tud on the evening.. AND… a GLORIOUS deep ball to boot
Ballin. pic.twitter.com/zS6AtdtGz3
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2022
On the next play, Willis broke out the sidearm throw for a first down.
🗣🗣🗣MALIK WILLIS
It’s a preseason game… BUT THIS DUDE IS CRUSHING RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/OJRLbkT8bG
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2022
On his final play of the night, which came early in the second half, Willis did what he did so frequently during his time at Liberty.
Malik Willis evades pressure so naturally. This appears to be his last play of the night #TENvsBAL (again sorry for the Baltimore broadcast) pic.twitter.com/aeyxK2jLhO
— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) August 12, 2022
Playing the entire first half and just a couple of plays in the second half, Malik Willis finished the night throwing 6 of 11 for 107 yards while carrying the ball 5 times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Willis and the Titans will play their second game of the preseason on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.