NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Titans rookie Marcus Mariota will not play Sunday against Atlanta as he recovers from a sprained MCL in his left knee. Zach Mettenberger will start at quarterback.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Friday that Mariota has been ruled out after missing practice all week.
Mariota sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee when hit low by Miami defensive end Olivier Vernon in last week’s 38-10 loss to the Dolphins. Mariota stayed in the game wearing a brace.
Mettenberger started six of the seven games he played last season as a rookie. The sixth-round draft pick out of LSU still is looking for his first career win.
The Titans (1-4) also will be without wide receiver Harry Douglas (ribs) and starting cornerback Perrish Cox (hamstring).