Buck Reising, Tennessee Titans reporter and host of Tackling Music City, provides updates from quarterback Marcus Mariota’s press conference at St. Thomas Sports Park.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Quarterback Marcus Mariota’s availability for the Tennessee Titans (9-6) Week 17 home contest against the Indianapolis Colts (9-6) remains unclear after his Wednesday press conference at the team’s practice facility.
Mariota, who suffered a stinger in the second quarter of Tennessee’s 25-16 Week 16 victory over Washington (7-8), spoke optimistically about his status for his team’s regular season finale at Nissan Stadium but could not confirm that he would play.
“Just trying to get back, man,” Mariota said. “Finding every way I can to be available and we’re just going to take it one day at a time.”
Mariota’s fourth professional season has seen him plagued by injury since the Titans opened the 2018 campaign in Miami and the second time he has experienced a stinger. It was an elbow injury that forced him to be removed from Tennessee’s season opener and, on Nov. 18 at Indianapolis, he was pulled from the first half of that eventual loss with a stinger. Mariota was replaced by Blaine Gabbert in all three of those instances but Saturday against Washington was the first time in those relief efforts that the journeyman back-up was able to lead his team to a win.
In fact, the victory was the first for the Titans in the seven career games that Mariota has left with an injury over the course of his career.
“Of course, I’m optimistic,” said Mariota. “I mean, this is what it’s about. You’re playing for everything so I’m doing everything I can, day and night, just trying to make sure that I can be ready.”
Gabbert has made two starts for the injured Mariota in Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2018 season, getting divisional wins in both despite being concussed in the latter and needing Mariota to come off the bench to secure a “W.” Against Washington, Gabbert completed seven of his 11 passes for 101 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass to tight end MyCole Pruitt with 4:30 remaining.
“I just want to make sure we can have our best option to win,” Mariota said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to be available, so that when it’s all said and done, if I’m able to be out there, I’m giving it my all. All I want is this team to win. However I can do that, however I can help, I’m going to find a way to do that.”
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