Tennessee Titans quarterback Josh Dobbs, a literal rocket scientist by day and a football player by night, made his first career NFL start on “Thursday Night Football” against the Dallas Cowboys, holding his own in a 27-13 loss. 

Signed off the Detroit Lions practice squad on Dec. 21, Dobbs looked sharp for the Titans, considering he had only a week to prepare and get to know his new teammates. Dobbs, who finished 20-of-39 for 232 yards with a touchdown and an interception, didn’t light up the stat sheet but kept the Titans in the game for most of the evening. 

A fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft, Dobbs had appeared in only six NFL games before Thursday night, completing 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards and interception, all with Pittsburgh. 

Dobbs, an aerospace engineering major while at the University of Tennessee, worked two offseasons with NASA on futuristic moon rovers and was even part of the international space station launch. While Dobbs is embracing his chance at playing NFL football, he told the Athletic’s Zac Jackson in August that he “eventually” plans to pursue a career in outer space. 

“I think it’s great to have interest and the opportunity to play in the National Football League and then also have interest in aerospace and aviation,” Dobbs said. “So getting a chance to take advantage of opportunities in NASA in the offseason has been great … and at some point down the road, I’ll be excited to be in the aerospace world.” 

After his performance on Thursday night, Dobbs could be in-line to start next week in what amounts to the AFC South championship game against the suddenly surging Jacksonville Jaguars. Starter Ryan Tannehill’s season is over after being placed on injured reserve Thursday with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Malik Willis, whom the Titans chose to sit Thursday in favor of Dobbs, was unimpressive in relief of Tannehill last week against the Houston Texans, going 14-of-23 for 99 yards and two interceptions in a 19-14 loss.