Marcus Mariota: I expect to play again this season
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota left Sunday's 33-16 loss to the New England Patriots with a right knee injury, but said afterwards doesn't think the injury will end his season.
Mariota exited the game in the second quarter after being sacked by Patriots linebacker Jamie Collns, with backup Zach Mettenberger taking over the rest of the way.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft said he wanted to return but heeded the advice of Tennessee's coaches and training staff.
Via Tennessee's official website:
“I wanted to go back in right away, and go out there and play with the guys,’’ Mariota said. “But Zach (Mettenberger) is more than capable of taking over the team. And me not playing at 100 percent would have hurt us.”
Mariota missed two games earlier in the season after suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee during October loss to the Miami Dolphins. His availability for next Sunday's game against the Houston Texans will be determined later in the week.
“We’ll see how it is (Monday), but I don’t expect to be out the rest of the year,’’ Mariota said. “We’ll take it day by day and see what happens."
Mettenberger completed 20-of-28 passes for 242 yards, with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions against New England.
After next week's game against Houston, the Titans close out the season Jan. 3 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.
