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Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey and quarterback Marcus Mariota watch during practice Oct. 4 in Nashville, Tenn. The status for Mariota, limited the past two days in practice by a strained hamstring, might not be decided until shortly before kickoff for the Titans’ game against Miami this weekend.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. >> Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota will be a game-time decision for their Oct. 8 matchup against the Dolphins.
Mariota was listed Friday as questionable for the game in Miami after being limited in practice for the third consecutive day with a left hamstring injury suffered last week in a 57-14 loss at Houston.
“I’ve been able to get out there for a little bit, but the majority of practice I do a lot of rehab. My first and foremost goal is to get healthy, and that’s what I’ve been working on,” Mariota said today.
Mariota said he needs to have some mobility in order to be able to play. The Titans (2-2) are talking about letting him take part in an Oct. 7 walk-through. But a final decision might not be reached until 90 minutes before kickoff Oct. 8 when the list of inactives is due.
“I think if I’m able to move around and am able to hand the ball off, and am able to drop back, then I’ll definitely play,” Mariota said. “It’s a tough decision. It’s a decision that was made this past Sunday in Houston. It’s never easy for an athlete. To that point, I’m going to do my best to get healthy, and hopefully, I’ll be ready to go.”
Titans coach Mike Mularkey said he didn’t want Mariota doing much in practice, preferring the quarterback to heal up.
“We’re not putting him to a point where he could make it any worse, so he actually feels pretty good right now,” Mularkey said.
If Mariota is unable to start, then backup Matt Cassel will start. He took the bulk of the first-team reps in practice this week after struggling last week coming off the bench. Cassel was intercepted twice with one returned for a touchdown and stripped of the ball when sacked.
Brandon Weeden, signed Oct. 3 as insurance, would be the backup if Mariota does not play.
Both wide receiver Corey Davis and safety Johnathan Cyprien as out again this week. Both players have missed multiple weeks with hamstring injuries of their own.
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