Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will miss his second consecutive start this upcoming Sunday when his team takes on the Houston Texans in an important AFC Sout clash.
Mariota, who suffered a sprained MCL back in Week 5, had been progressing throughout the week — leading to some hope that he would be able to go. Unfortunately for the rookie quarterback, head coach Ken Whisenhunt ruled him out on Friday:
Looking at this through a long-term lens, it makes all the sense in the world. Why rush your potential franchise quarterback back to the field in a game between one and two wins teams?
Though, Tennessee could actually finish this week just one game behind the Indianapolis Colts with a win on Sunday and a Colts loss to the Carolina Panthers on Monday.
Outside of the pie in the sky belief that a 1-5 Titans team can contend for a division title, Mariota sitting is probably a good thing for the young quarterback.
It also means that Zach Mettenberger will get that start for Tennessee. The second-year quarterback was under center for last week's 10-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He's now 0-7 as a starter in the NFL.