Tennessee loses QB, playoff bid
Mariota finished for season after breaking right leg
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Tennessee Titans won’t make the playoffs, and they won’t have quarterback Marcus Mariota for their season finale.
Mariota broke his right leg in a 38-17 loss at Jacksonville on Saturday — a crushing setback for a team that had so many things go right while winning three in a row and seven of 10 previously.
Later Saturday night, the Texans beat the Bengals 12-10 to clinch the AFC South title. The Texans and Titans will meet next weekend in Nashville, Tenn., for the teams’ regular-season finale, but that game was rendered meaningless with the Texans’ victory over Cincinnati.
Mariota ended the year with 26 touchdown passes.
“That breaks my heart, man,” Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said. “Love him. That guy’s an awesome dude. For that to happen to him, it’s unfair.”
With the Titans trailing 25-10 in the third quarter, Mariota was carted off with an air cast on his fractured fibula. Sheldon Day sacked Mariota as he scrambled on first down and grabbed him around the lower legs. Mariota signaled to the sideline as he pounded the ground. Trainers rushed to his side, put on the air cast and lifted Mariota onto a cart. Teammates and even some Jaguars patted Mariota on the shoulders before he exited.
Mariota was hurried early and often, leading to several errant throws. He completed 8-of-20 passes for 99 yards, with a touchdown and two sacks.
Jacksonville (3-12) played inspired, partly because popular coach Gus Bradley was fired six days earlier and partly because the Titans (8-7) embarrassed them on national television in late October.
“It’s the first time this season we have been beaten like that,” said Titans coach Mike Mularkey, who estimated Mariota is facing at least six weeks of recovery time. “It’s a bad time for it.”
Journeyman Matt Cassel replaced Mariota and completed 13 of 24 passes for 124 yards, with a touch- down and an interception. His 14-yard score to Delanie Walker made it 25-17 in the fourth, but Jacksonville answered on the ensuing drive and sealed the win when rookie Jalen Ramsey returned an interception 30 yards for a score.