NASHVILLE, Tenn. >> There was a hold-your-breath moment in a scrimmage situation Thursday when backside protection broke down and, suddenly, Marcus Mariota was square in the sights of a Carolina Panthers linebacker.
Never mind Mariota’s red practice jersey, fans in the metal bleachers gasped and Tennessee Titans teammates braced for impact before Mariota maneuvered out of harm’s way to get a pass off.
Instances like that in this week’s two days of shared sessions with the Panthers are why Titans coach Mike Mularkey is declaring his quarterback’s surgically repaired right fibula a non-issue.
“It (the injury) is behind us,” Mularkey said after practice. “It is not even a discussion when we are game-planning. We’re not game-planning like we would in the regular season, (and) obviously we will be smart (as we would) be with all of our guys, (but) there hasn’t been an issue about his leg.”
Mariota suffered the season-ending injury Dec. 24 and initial projections after the surgery were unsure about his early training camp possibilities. The hope was just to, somehow, have him ready for the regular-season opener in September.
But both Mularkey and Mariota have said the former Saint Louis and Oregon quarterback has exceeded the timetable and the recovery is complete as he prepares to start Saturday’s exhibition game against Carolina.
Asked if questions about the recovery have been put to bed, Mariota said, “Yeah, I would think that. It feels good to be able to run around.”
Characteristically, Mariota spread the credit. “It has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of different people,” Mariota said. “And I’m very thankful for that, because without their hard work, I wouldn’t be here.”
Mariota saw two series of work — nine snaps — in last week’s exhibition season opener against the New York Jets. He completed two of three passes for 15 yards.
“It was kind of a benchmark you have in your rehabilitation process,” Mariota said. “I’m very happy.”
Typically Mularkey likes to raise the number of plays for his starting quarterback in the second preseason game but said the amount of action Mariota is destined for Saturday likely won’t be determined until later today. “I have a rough idea, but we will discuss it with the staff,” Mularkey said.
When Mariota does play, Mularkey said, “You know, there’s some things … we had a delay of game (last week). Those are things that the preseason is for. (I’d) just like to see him take a little step above and not have any of those pre-snap penalties like we did last week.”
Mularkey said, “I’d like to see him take another step up in his game” mostly in execution. “I just want to see again this week his confidence in the ability to get out of the pocket, make some plays, scramble if he has to (and) get up from a sack. Again just get back in the saddle and make the calls, get ready.”
Mariota said, “I’m excited to get out there each day. I want to go out there and improve game in and game out.”
