Mariota’s status not settled yet
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota’s playing status will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s matchup at Miami. He was listed as questionable Friday after being limited in practice for the third consecutive day by a left hamstring injury that happened in last weekend’s 57-14 loss at Houston. Mariota said he needs to have some mobility in order to be able to play, and the Titans (2-2) have discussed letting him take part in today’s walkthrough. Tennessee coach
Mike Mularkey said he didn’t want Mariota doing much in practice, though, preferring to let the third-year pro focus on regaining his health. “I think if I’m able to move around and am able to hand the ball off and am able to drop back, then I’ll definitely play,” Mariota said. “It’s a tough decision.” The list of inactives is due 90 minutes before kickoff, and Matt Cassel would start in Mariota’s absence. Cassell took the bulk of first-team snaps in practice this week after struggling against the Texans when he came in off the bench. Brandon Weeden, signed Tuesday as insurance, would be the backup if Mariota does not play. Titans wide receiver Corey Davis and safety Johnathan Cyprien also have hamstring injuries and will be out against the Dolphins (1-2).
› CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera said quarterback Cam Newton’s apology for a sexist remark to a female reporter was “something that was needed to be said.” “I think it was well said and well put … It’s a tough set of circumstances, and hopefully this can settle things so we can go forward,” Rivera said Friday. Newton made his remark during a news conference Wednesday when Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the 2015 NFL MVP about wide receiver
Devin Funchess’ route running. The quarterback laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.” Newton issued a nearly two-minute apology video via Twitter late Thursday night, saying, “What I did was extremely unacceptable” and that he has “really learned a valuable lesson from this.” He hasn’t directly apologized to Rodrigue. In the video, Newton said he’s a man who strives to be a positive role model in the community and tries to use his platform to inspire others. He also said he takes ownership of everything that comes with that.
BASKETBALL
› LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville has placed associate men’s basketball coach Kenny Johnson and assistant Jordan Fair on paid administrative leave while the school handles its involvement in a national federal investigation of the sport. Fair and Johnson didn’t participate in practices conducted this week by interim coach David Padgett, who was named Rick Pitino’s replacement on Sept. 29. Pitino is on unpaid administrative leave and facing dismissal after 16 seasons leading the Cardinals. On Monday, the school’s athletic association authorized interim university president
Greg Postel to begin the process of firing Pitino for cause.
Vince Tyra was named acting athletic director on Tuesday in place of Tom Jurich, who’s on paid leave pending an Oct. 18 review by trustees. Tyra said in a release Friday that the school is doing due diligence while cooperating with federal authorities and called the decisions regarding Fair and Johnson “an appropriate step at this time.” Johnson is in his fourth season with Louisville; it’s Fair’s second season on the staff.