The Tennessee Titans are hoping to get quarterback Marcus Mariota back on the field before training camp.
Coach Mike Mularkey said Monday that his quarterback is expected to miss four to five months after having surgery this week to repair a broken fibula suffered in Saturday's loss to the Jaguars. That could put Mariota in line to return for organized team activities in the late spring.
MOCK DRAFT: Titans improve pass rush
Matt Cassel will get the start in Sunday's season finale against the playoff-bound Texans, with Alex Tanney to be added from the practice squad as a backup.
Bill O'Brien on Marcus Mariota broken leg: 'It's terrible what's happened to Marcus'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 26, 2016
Dr. Robert Anderson will perform the surgery on Mariota on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. He will insert a plate to stabilize the fracture, but Mularkey said the Titans aren't worried about Mariota losing any mobility after the procedure.
"From what I am told, he shouldn’t (lose any mobility) if the surgery goes well," Mularkey said. “I know Bob Anderson very well — I had both of my feet operated on by him — and I think he is one of the best in the world so I feel very good about where he is going to have the surgery.
"He is upbeat here today. He understands the circumstances. He is disappointed. He is really disappointed he couldn’t finish the game, the guy is such a competitor. It wasn’t about the injury, it was about not being able to finish the game with his teammates. But I felt like he was upbeat today when he came in.”
The 23-year-old threw for 3,426 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his second professional season, completing 61.2 percent of his passes. He rushed for two more scores.
