NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was held out of practice for the second straight day on Thursday as the team continued preparations for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Mariota suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Dolphins.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Mariota is "doing well" but added "tomorrow will really be the day where we'll see."
"We are pleased with his progress, but we'll have to see exactly what that entails tomorrow,'' Whisenhunt said. "We'll have a lot more information about it tomorrow, that's for sure.'"
On Wednesday, Mariota made it clear he hopes to play on Sunday.
"Pretty good,'' Mariota said when asked about his chances of playing. "We are going to continue to take it day by day and see how it goes. I hope to play on Sunday."
Mariota did not address reporters on Thursday. Whisenhunt said he watched practice, and continues to rehab the injury.
Mariota said he suffered a similar injury in college at Oregon and he didn't miss a game.
"If he doesn't play, it will be because we don't feel like he is ready,'' Whisenhunt said of Mariota. "His knee is doing well. The plan was to progress it this week – not do try and do too much early – and see where it was late in the week."
Mariota was injured early in the second quarter of the team's 38-10 loss to the Dolphins when Miami defensive end Olivier Vernon dove and hit Mariota on the back of his left leg after he released the football.
Mariota finished the game with a brace on his left knee. He was not wearing a knee brace on Wednesday or Thursday.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who finished Sunday's game, is Mariota's back-up. The Titans also have veteran Charlie Whitehurst on the roster.
In five games, Mariota has thrown for 1,239 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 93.2 rating.
