Marcus Mariota's rookie season may have ended Sunday in New England.
The Titans quarterback will miss the final two games after suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee during the loss to the Patriots, according to ESPN, though the team is leaving open the possibility he'll play in Week 17.
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"He will be out this week and evaluated again at the start of next week, and see where he’s at with that," interim coach Mike Mularkey said of Mariota. “The injury is basically the same injury as the other knee, but less serious. Obviously he is not going to play this week. We’re going reevaluate it and see if he can play next week.
"He wants to play. He wanted to play yesterday. We certainly will not — if we have any concerns — play him. If there was any way he was not going to be capable of playing, no way."
Mariota missed two games earlier this season with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Missing the final two games likely would put him out of the running for offensive rookie of the year, with Buccaneerss quarterback Jameis Winston, Raiders receiver Amari Cooper and Rams running back Todd Gurley all having stellar campaigns.
Mariota, the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has thrown for 2,818 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 games. He has a quarterback rating of 91.5.
Zach Mettenberger will replace Mariota in the lineup.