Will Levis and the Titans trying to start winning streak against the Texans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans love rookie quarterback Will Levis' energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness.

Just not when he takes off running.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Levis crashed into Miami cornerback Jalen Ramsey after escaping a sack, making the 6-1 three-time All-pro look like an economy car hit by an SUV. The Titans (5-8) have shown Levis videos of quarterbacks sliding in an effort to show how NFL rules can protect him.

“I guess we'll have to show him examples of quarterbacks not sliding and getting the (crap) knocked out of them,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.

If Levis needs a reminder that being available matters most in the NFL, Sunday offers just that. Fellow rookie C.J. Stroud is in the concussion protocol for Houston (7-6) after his head bounced off the turf while being sacked in last week's 30-6 road loss to the New York Jets.

First-year Houston coach Demeco Ryans said not many players return a week later from a concussion. That likely applies to Stroud, who's currently second in the NFL with 3,631 yards passing and is the biggest reason Houston is a game back of defending AFC South champ Jacksonville in the division.

“It's more about their long-term health, as opposed to, just everybody gets excited about the next game and the next opportunity,” Ryans said.

That means Davis Mills likely makes his first start this season, and he has played well in three career starts against Tennessee, posting a 93.3 passer rating.

Levis just had the first 300-yard passing game of his career and is 3-4 as a starter. He led the Titans to 15 points Monday night in the span of 51 seconds to stun Miami 28-27. His first road win snapped the Titans' nine-game road skid and gives them a chance at consecutive wins for the first time this season.

The rookie celebrated by chest-bumping a teammate followed by hugging offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.

“He's got those crazy eyes, you know, when he starts hulking out," Kelly said of Levis. "But I was proud of him, and it was a cool moment for him.”

Levis knows being calm, cool and collected is important at his position, but he has to be himself.