Marcus Mariota 'on pace' to be healthy for season, Mike Mularkey tells fans
Marcus Mariota is “doing very well” and remains “on pace” to be healthy for the start of the regular season, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Wednesday night, updating season ticket holders on the franchise quarterback’s rehab from a broken right fibula.
Mularkey and Titans general manager Jon Robinson took previously submitted questions from fans, via Mike Keith, “the voice of the Titans,” on stage during the team’s annual “Tailgate and Tuxedos” event for season ticket holders at Music City Center. They did not take questions from reporters. The Titans estimated 5,000 fans were in attendance.
Mariota, who was injured in the second-to-last game of the season, is rehabbing with trainers in Oregon, Mularkey said, jokingly adding that his lone concern was that he’d be “in there 10, 12 hours overworking.” Mariota is likely to be held out of organized team activities, but return to the field for the start of training camp.
“The most important thing for us is to make sure that he’s healthy for Week 1,” Robinson said.
In a recorded message, Mariota thanked Titans fans and the entire Nashville community, calling their support “overwhelming,” and apologized for being unable to attend the event.
“I look forward to getting back to Nashville and getting the 2017 season under way,” he said.
The Titans also presented team awards, as voted by fans:
- Offensive play of the year, presented by Brad Hopkins: Running back DeMarco Murray’s 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker in a victory against the Packers.
- Moment of the year, presented by Kevin Dyson, Frank Wycheck and Lorenzo Neal: Kicker Ryan Succop’s 53-yard game-winning field goal as time expired against the Chiefs. The Titans played a video of the Music City Miracle before introducing Succop, long snapper Beau Brinkley, punter/holder Brett Kern.
- Defensive play of the year, presented by Blaine Bishop and Keith Bulluck: Goal line stand late in the first half against the Chiefs, accepted by linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey.
- Inspirational player of the year, presented by Ben Jones, accompanied by coach Mike Mularkey, GM Jon Robinson, controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and others: Former linebacker Tim Shaw, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2014 and signed a one-day contract in August to retire as a “Titan for life.” Shaw was a regular presence around the team this season. He received a standing ovation, then cracked a joke about lots of love for Jones.
Mularkey reiterated that Murray remains the team’s workhorse running back in response to a question about whether Derrick Henry would see more playing time in his second season.
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Robinson, addressing a question about the position that most needs to be addressed, said “good football players.”
The NFL Scouting Combine runs from Tuesday to March 6. Free agency begins on March 9. The draft is April 27-29. The Titans have eight draft picks, including the fifth and 18th overall in the first round.
The night began with a highlight reel of plays from the 2016 season, when the Titans finished with a 9-7 record to tie for the largest single-season turnaround in franchise history.
Strunk received a standing ovation after being introduced by Nashville mayor Megan Barry, who praised the Titans’ success on the field and leadership in the community.
“Good times are going to happen for us,” Strunk said, after thanking fans for “hanging in there” through the team’s struggles.
"Thank you for your support," Robinson said, wrapping up the show. "We're just getting started — 2017 starts now."
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.
KEY DATES
NFL Combine: Feb. 28-March 6
Free agency begins: March 9
NFL Draft: April 27-29