TITANS HEAD COACH MIKE MULARKEY MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Dec. 30, 2016
(on practice participation)
Did not practice was (Beau) Brinkley because of an illness, and then (Jason) McCourty is a game-time decision.
(on if an illness is going around the team)
Yeah, it's that time of the year.
(on if Beau Brinkley will be out for the game)
No, Beau (Brinkley) was out today.
(on if LeShaun Sims is out of the concussion protocol)
He's out of the protocol, yes. He's a go for Sunday.
(on the benefit of having LeShaun Sims healthy this week)
It's good to have as many guys up as we have for this time of the year. We have a lot of healthy bodies, which is good for this time of the year.
(on if he had a message for the team on the final day of practice)
I did, yep. No, I'm not going to share that one with you, but I can tell you it was a very good practice. It was probably one of our better Friday practices that we've had—lots of energy.
(on if the season flew by for him)
It went by fast, it did. It went by. I'm not ready for it to be over, to be honest with you. I really have nothing to look forward to right now. Yeah, that's where I'm at. It went by too fast.
(on if this team is special to him)
Yeah, a very special team. A lot of good things to remember from this year. You know, this is my 31st or 32nd year in the league—can't remember right now—but I've got about a half a dozen years that I can pull out. This is one of them.
(on if he is eager to watch younger players that have not received much playing time yet)
Like I said, we're going to play the game to win, OK? So the guys that have played the majority of the time will play the majority of the time. Again, how the game flows will dictate who's going to play and how much they play, but this whole intent is we're going to win the football game.
(on when Marcus Mariota returned to the building)
He got back today. He got right back from Charlotte. We're glad to have him back.
(on what it says about Marcus Mariota that he wanted to watch practice)
It doesn't surprise me. I wish he was dressed a little warmer, but it doesn't surprise me. He really wanted to finish that game. I know he wanted to finish the season with his teammates. The only way he can finish it now is to be out here and be in meetings. We want him around. He's a large reason why we've had some success this year.
(on if Marcus Mariota is sitting through meetings)
Yes, he is. Again, he's great for Matt (Cassel). He's like another coach in here.
(on if players on injured reserve have to sit through meetings)
No, they don't, but it doesn't surprise me about him.
(on Karl Klug's surgery)
It went well. He should be good. I think he'll be back when the players come back. Again, probably more like the OTAs. We'll just see, again. We're not going to rush him through for any reason in the spring.
(on if Marcus Mariota will be at the game Sunday)
Yes.
(on if Marcus Mariota will watch the game from the sideline)
Probably not. I'll have to make that decision. I haven't made that decision, but he is going to be at the game.
(on if it is important to Marcus Mariota to be at the game)
It's important to him, yes. It's very, very important to him.
(on if there was even a possibility Marcus Mariota would not be at the game)
I asked him. Before I could get the whole question out, he was, "I'll be there." It doesn't surprise me.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Houston Texans. (AP Photos, Donn Jones)
Tennessee Titans tackle Jack Conklin (78) pass blocks in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
A general fisheye view of Nissan Stadium from midfield home of the Tennessee Titans before a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Delanie Walker, tight end de los Titans de Tennessee, anota pese al intento de derrribo por parte de Kevin Johnson, de los Texans de Houston, en la segunda mitad del encuentro realizado el domingo 3 de diciembre de 2017 (AP Foto/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans never have played at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, but Mariota has, though. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves Houston Texans outside linebacker Gimel President (53) behind as he runs 75-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Henry says he didn't want to be caught from behind. Well, nobody caught the Tennessee running back as the Heisman Trophy broke loose for a 75-yard run and was clocked at 21.64 mph, tied for the fifth-fastest ball carrier this season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
The Tennessee Titans line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball as he scrambles during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans' kick returner Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks a tackle by Houston Texans' Brian Peters (52) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tries to get past Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has been carrying the Tennessee run game during two of the Titans' last three victories in this winning streak. They hope to get Henry and Dion Lewis going against Buffalo after facing some very stingy defenses to start the season. (AP Photo/James Kenney, File)
Houston Texans center Nick Martin (66) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson plays against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending for the Titans is defensive back Kevin Byard (31). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (92) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis is chased by Houston Texans defensive end Angelo Blackson (97) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, on the ground, in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) runs a route against Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 42-yard field goal against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Holding is Brett Kern (6) and defending for the Texans is Johnson Bademosi (23). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hugs center Ben Jones (60) before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank (29) gets past Houston Texans defensive back Natrell Jamerson (31) as Cruikshank scores a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs for a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert passes against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank catches a pass on a fake punt play as he runs 66 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans and teammates celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
