NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Friday he expects to play both starting quarterback Marcus Mariota and backup Blaine Gabbert in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Mariota didn’t throw during the open portion of practice Friday for the second straight day and was listed as limited and questionable on the team’s final injury report. Mariota injured his elbow on a hit from William Hayes while carrying out a fake on a run-pass option play during a season-opening 27-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
“We’re evaluating,” Vrabel said. We anticipate both of those guys playing in the game. We’re going to have to do a lot of things to win this game, and I would anticipate both of those guys playing at some point in time. Marcus is going to do everything he can to get ready. Every player is going to do everything they can to get ready on Sunday. That’s what our job is as pro football players and coaches, to exhaust all resources, time and energy to get ready to play in the game.”
Whoever plays at quarterback will be playing behind a makeshift offensive line missing left tackle Taylor Lewan, who sustained a concussion in the Dolphins game and didn’t practice all week. Right tackle Jack Conklin, still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his left knee in January, is out as well. Conklin’s replacement - right tackle Dennis Kelly - was absent from practice Thursday and Friday due to illness.
There is some good news for the Titans on the defensive side of the ball. Vrabel said he expects the team’s top two draft picks - linebackers Rashaan Evans (hamstring) and Harold Landry (ankle) - to play Sunday. Both were injured before the season and missed the Dolphins game.
Landry, Kelly, linebacker Derrick Morgan (knee) and tight end Luke Stocker (calf) are all listed as questionable on the Titans’ official injury report.
Safety Kendrick Lewis has been ruled out for the second straight week with a foot injury.
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