Mariota’s status uncertain after injuring knee
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tennessee was not about to risk losing quarterback Marcus Mariota for the rest of its 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 would overtake the defending Super Bowl champions even with Mariota. And they didn’t with backup Zach Mettenberger as New England 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. The Titans (3-11) host the Texans next Sunday.
“I wanted to go back in right away,” said Mariota, who was more concerned with the stability of his knee than the pain. “The training staff felt if I wasn’t 100 percent it wouldn’t be good for me to go.”
Mariota completed three of six passes for 32 yards. Mettenberger, in his second NFL season, was 20-for-28 for 242 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“Marcus is the toughest kid I know,” Mettenberger said about when Mariota might return, “but in any situation, I’m going to prepare like I’m a starter.”
Tom Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns to help the Patriots (12-2) hold on to the top spot in the AFC. James White caught seven passes for 71 yards, including a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown, and Keshawn Martin had a 75yard kickoff return to set up another score.
White was filling in at No. 1 running back — a job that had been held by Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount before both suffered season-ending injuries. New England’s big losses Sunday were linebacker Dont’a Hightower (knee), receiver Danny Amendola (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (hip). All three left the game and did not return. No information about their conditions was available.
“Guys are going out and guys are coming in,” Brady said. “You’re just trying to do what you can to be productive.”
The Patriots have won two in a row since stumbling to back-to-back losses — their first two-game losing streak since 2012. Instead, they have recorded their sixth consecutive season with at least 12 victories.
“Twelve wins, that’s on the right track here,” coach Bill Belichick said.
Rob Gronkowski caught a 5-yard touchdown pass, and Akiem Hicks fell on the ball in the end zone after Jamie Collins’ stripsacked Mariota for New England’s other touchdown.
The rookie was sacked to end the next drive, too, and then was replaced by Mettenberger.