NASHVILLE – In an odd twist, the Tennessee Titans could have a lot to lose with a victory in their season finale, and that’s not considering Marcus Mariota’s health.
Tennessee’s rookie quarterback tested his sprained right knee Monday, and the Titans are waiting to see how Mariota feels before deciding whether to play him in their season finale this Sunday at Indianapolis. A win against the Colts could cost Tennessee the No. 1 pick overall in next year’s draft.
But the Titans say Mariota’s health is the only factor they’ll consider when determining whether he’ll play.
“If he’s not completely healthy, I mean we feel like he’s close to 100 percent, then it’s less likely he’s going to play,” interim coach Mike Mularkey said Monday. “His health is the No. 1 for us. He’s got such a great future ahead of him. He’s got plenty of games, lots of games to go, and we won’t expose him at all.”
But if Mariota doesn’t play and Tennessee loses, the Titans get the top pick in the 2016 draft.