Marcus Mariota Says He Won't Need Surgery on Injuries; Will Make Full Recovery

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota said Monday that he won't need surgery on the neck and foot injuries that hampered him late in the 2018 NFL season.

Travis Haney of The Athletic noted Mariota, who missed the team's Week 17 playoff eliminator loss to the Indianapolis Colts, said he just needs rest before starting his offseason routine. The fourth-year QB added that he's expected to make a complete recovery from the ailments, per The Athletic's John Glennon.

The Titans entered Sunday night's clash with the opportunity to earn a playoff berth with a victory over the AFC South rival Colts. Backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert struggled to fill the void left by Mariota, however, throwing for just 165 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the 33-17 defeat.

Mariota said a Los Angeles-based neck/spine specialist recommended he sit out and that the decision was supported by the team, per Haney.

"Wasn't able to get to a point where I was ready to go. It sucks. It hurts, man," he told reporters. "To not be out there with the guys, it takes a toll on you."

Mariota finished 2018 with a career-best 68.9 percent completion rate, but he tossed just 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions across 14 appearances. He also tallied 357 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL's 17th-best quarterback. He ranked 20th in ESPN's Total QBR.

Tennessee exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie contract in April, so he'll make $20.9 million in 2019 in the final year of the deal, according to Spotrac. That's a $13.2 million increase from 2018.

The next question is whether the Titans will sign him to a long-term extension before next season or wait to see how he performs, with the franchise tag available as a backup plan.

"It'll take care of itself...we'll make it happen," Mariota told reporters about the contract situation.

Mariota has yet to play all 16 regular-season games in a year since Tennessee selected him with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft. He's also compiled a lackluster ratio of 24 passing touchdowns and 23 interceptions over the last two seasons combined.

Those factors could lead the Titans to take a wait-and-see approach on the 25-year-old University of Oregon product before making a massive financial investment in his future.