We are used to seeing Marcus Mariota do the remarkable, of course.

Whether it is marching a team the length of the field for a game-winning drive, leading a fourth-quarter comeback, throwing a crucial block or making a tackle, the Tennessee Titans quarterback is up for what the occasion demands when a victory is on the line.

But Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla., there was a sight seldom glimpsed, a real freeze-frame moment: a still-injured but determined Mariota coming off the bench — of all places — to guide the Titans to a 9-6 victory over the Jaguars and into a share of the AFC South lead.

That’s because when Mariota suits up, he starts games.

More than 90 in a row over eight seasons at Saint Louis School, the University of Oregon and the NFL. In fact, before Sunday you had to go back to October 2009, his junior year with the Crusaders when he was a backup, to find a game he appeared in and did not start.

This time it was a nerve injury to his right (throwing) elbow suffered in the season opener that left him with numbness in his fourth and fifth fingers and a weakened arm that forced him to the bench.

It likely would have kept him there if not for the concussion suffered by his replacement, Blaine Gabbert. Nine plays into the Jaguars’ game Mariota was summoned in desperation relief to do what he could under the circumstances for a team in need.

Titans coaches modified some of the throws they asked him to make — “There are just really some throws that he can’t make right now,” head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged at Monday’s press conference. But, basically, they told him to do what he does best — lead, improvise when necessary, and just make plays.

Then, while they hoped for the best, Mariota delivered. Wearing a custom-trimmed glove that left two fingers exposed, Mariota completed 12 of 18 passes (three were dropped by receivers) for 100 yards and mixed in seven runs for 51 yards.

“I think when you do those type of things your teammates rally around you, they play a little harder for you,” Vrabel said.

Center Ben Jones told reporters, “He’s one of the toughest guys I know. He’s a true competitor and he would do anything for this team. I love that guy to death.”

It showed most importantly in long, clock-consuming drives as Mariota guided an offense that did not turn the ball over. Key was a 12-play, 65-yard drive that gobbled up 6 minutes, 42 seconds and set the stage for Ryan Succop’s 28-yard field goal that turned out to be the difference.

“He cares about this team immensely and he wants what’s best for the team,” Vrabel said. “And so you saw him come in there and give us a spark, pick up some first downs, some huge first-down conversions and, you know, really seal the deal for us at the end of the game.”

There would also be a 15-yard read-option keeper on third down that allowed the Titans to run the clock down to 18 seconds left in the game before the Jaguars got their hands back on the ball.

“Make no mistake about it, Marcus came in and won a football game,” Vrabel told the media Monday. “We wouldn’t have won the game without Marcus.”

Vrabel, who awarded Mariota the game ball, said, “It is cool to see him come in and compete for his team to win the game, not only throwing the football when he had to but making some plays with his legs.”

“It was a great win,” Vrabel said. “We can thank Marcus for that.”

All the way from the bench.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.