New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes against pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Tennessee Titans weren’t about to risk losing quarterback Marcus Mariota for the rest of their losing season.
So interim coach Mike Mularkey kept last year’s Heisman Trophy winner on the sideline instead when he hurt his right knee five minutes into the second quarter Sunday.
After all, there was little chance the Titans (3-11) would overtake the defending Super Bowl champions (12-2) even with Mariota. And they didn’t with backup Zach Mettenberger as the Patriots won 33-16 after going out to a 24-3 halftime lead.
“I don’t think it’s serious,” Mularkey said. “I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
Mariota was hurt on an 8-yard sack by Jamie Collins one play before Ryan Succop kicked a 49-yard field goal that made it 14-3. Mariota said he doesn’t expect to miss the rest of the season.