NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Matt Cassel has been a face-of-the-franchise player during his NFL career.
Now, he's stepping in to replace one.
Cassel will start for the Titans in the season finale against the Texans at Nissan Stadium. He replaces starter Marcus Mariota, who suffered a fractured fibula in Saturday's loss to the Jaguars.
Cassel said after practice on Wednesday the scenario is unfortunate, but he'll be ready to go. It's why he's stuck around in the NFL since 2005.
"I love the game, first and foremost,'' Cassel said. "I enjoy playing football, I enjoy the camaraderie, being a part of the team. If I didn't it would be tough to do all the different roles that I've had throughout my career. But at the same time I enjoy coming to work every day. I have a great support system and my wife helps take care of those four children that we have so that is helpful as well. So there's a lot that goes into it."
Cassel completed 13-of-24 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in relief of Mariota against the Jaguars. He did throw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey late in the game.
On the season, Cassel has completed 14-of-25 passes for 134 yards.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Cassel signed with the Titans earlier this offseason. He's played with the Patriots, Chiefs, Vikings, Bills and Cowboys in his career, and has played in 102 games during his career, with 79 starts. He's thrown for 102 touchdowns and 78 interceptions.
On Wednesday, Cassel said he got his most reps in a practice since training camp. The game experience from Saturday will help him this week, he said. On Tuesday, the Titans promoted Alex Tanney from the practice squad to serve as the team's No.2 quarterback on Sunday.
As for the offense, Cassel doesn't expect many changes this week as he steps in for Mariota.
"I wouldn't anticipate much change in the offense,'' Cassel said. "We've had a lot of success this year doing what we do. There will probably be some elements of our game plan that change just based on my skill set compared to what Marcus had to offer but we'll see as the week goes on. Obviously we are still installing stuff and going through the week and preparing in that manner.
"I think like my teammates have my back. They know that I've got their back, so they'll be ready to go. We're a team and it's the next man up mentality. So you have to step up and get ready to play."
Cassel said the Titans will be ready to play.
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Jaguars, the team wants to finish on a high note, he said.
"There's no doubt," Cassel said. "I mean, we play this game to compete. We play this game to win games on Sundays. I think everybody in there, they're going to be ready to play come Sunday. We're at our home field in front of our home fans. We know we've got our work cut out for us. This is a great Houston defense. This is a great Houston team. Obviously, they're the division winners this year. We've got to get ready to play."
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)
