Titans’ Mariota eager to return against Colts

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Marcus Mariota said he feels a lot better than a week ago.

Whether Mariota plays Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts will depend on how much he can move around, though.

But on Wednesday, he had a quick answer when asked if he believes he really has a chance to return from a strained left hamstring for the AFC South matchup: “Absolutely.”

Mariota was not active for this past Sunday’s 16-10 loss at Miami. The Titans (2-3) practiced Wednesday, taking advantage of an extra day in their work week to prepare for the Colts (2-3), and Mariota was involved.

“I was able to participate in a good amount of practice,” Mariota said. “I wasn’t able to do everything, but being able to be out here with the guys, doing some stuff, was big.”

Titans coach Mike Mularkey said he hopes Mariota can play and always supports what his quarterback thinks. Mariota doing more Wednesday than he did last week was a good sign, Mularkey said, though he indicated the real key will be Mariota’s mobility.

“He’s got to be able to move around really pretty good to be able to play and not put himself in a position that he’s going to re-injure himself,” Mularkey said. “He’s got to show that by the end of the week.”

The Titans certainly could use their starter back as they try to snap a two-game skid. If Mariota plays, it would be the third prime-time game in his three seasons in the NFL. The first two were Thursday night games against Jacksonville, and Mariota has the third-highest passer rating in prime-time games for quarterbacks with at least two games played since 2015 at 108.9.

Mariota has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 501 yards under the lights with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also ran for a 23-yard touchdown in his first prime-time game at Jacksonville in 2015.

Mariota said even while growing up in Hawaii, he wanted to play in Monday night games someday, and he hopes he gets that opportunity in his first chance in the NFL.

“Obviously, it’s fun to play on prime time, it’s fun to do those things,” Mariota said. “The atmosphere is going to be great. To get up for the game, you take it just as any other game. You get ready and prepare and just go out and play ball.”

First, Mariota has to continue improving each day.

“Hopefully toward the end of the week,” he said, “I get more on my plate and I feel comfortable to try and play on Monday.”

Luck’s progress report

INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck will be back on the Colts’ practice field today and Saturday.

Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano gave the update during a conference call Wednesday, when he described Luck’s progress level as “coming along good.”

The Colts’ franchise quarterback returned to practice on Oct. 4, the first time he has worked out with his teammates since having surgery on his throwing shoulder in January. So far, Luck has been limited to throwing every other day.

Indy was off Tuesday and Wednesday.

In his latest update, Pagano said Luck’s strength was improving, but that he wouldn’t risk a setback by rushing his best player back too quickly.

Giants suspend CB

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants suspended veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie after he left the team’s facilities before practice Wednesday.

Coach Ben McAdoo announced the indefinite suspension after practice.

McAdoo met with Rodgers-Cromartie on Tuesday and told him that he would not be active for Sunday’s game in Denver because of something the 31-year-old either said or did during this past Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rodgers-Cromartie left the bench and went to the locker room during the second half but later returned. It is not known if the two exchanged words during the game, and there was no apparent physical altercation.

McAdoo told the 10-year veteran, who joined the Giants in 2014, that he still expected him to practice this week and prepare for the game even though he was not going to play.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who had started three games, reported to the Giants headquarters Wednesday morning and then left. He was not available for comment. Roosevelt Barnes, his agent, did not return a telephone call from The Associated Press.

Rodgers-Cromartie told ESPN that he argued with McAdoo “about playing” during the game. He admitted to handling “it the wrong way, but to sit me a game had me hot, so I left.” He said plans to return to the team today.