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Marcus Mariota is resting comfortably after successful surgery on December 28. The Tennessee Titan quarterback broke his fibula during a Week-16 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The same day, Oakland Raider signal-caller Derek Carr went down with a similar injury. Almost simultaneously, two teams had their seasons end on one play. It truly exhibited the vulnerability of any football team when it comes to the quarterback position.
For some, the beginning of 2017 was a great relief. The 2016 NFL season was bizarre, even by their standards. For Mariota, he enters uncharted territory in his professional career.
The surgery on Marcus Mariota’s fractured fibula was completed late this afternoon and, from those involved, considered a success.
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 29, 2016
48 hours after “successful surgery” to insert a plate into Mariota’s broken leg, he was seen at Titans practice. You can NOT keep this kid down, even though many have tried.
“We’re glad to have him back,” said Titan head coach Mike Mularkey. “It didn’t surprise me. I wish he was dressed a little warmer. But it doesn’t surprise me. He wanted to finish that game, and he wanted to finish the season with his teammates. The only way he can finish it now is to be with his teammates, and we want him around. He’s a large reason why we’ve had the success we’ve had.”
The former Duck was having an outstanding season when the injury occurred. Not to mention, placing the Titans in playoff contention.
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Mariota completed 276 of his 451 pass attempts for a total of 3,426 yards in 2016. The former Heisman Trophy winner threw for 26 touchdowns through the air, including two on the ground. Meanwhile, Mariota was intercepted just nine times.
The most remarkable feat is the Polynesian has yet to turn the ball over in the red zone amidst TWO YEARS of professional football.
Oregon’s finest football player finished with a 95.6 passer rating this season. That ranks third in Titan franchise history. He is also the first quarterback in team history to post back-to-back seasons with a passer rating of 90 or higher.
After two months of rest, what better place to begin his rehab than The Marcus Mariota Sports Performance Center in Eugene?
The Titan brass has already stated that Marcus will not lose any mobility. It’s just a matter of getting him healthy in time for the start of the 2017 NFL season. OTA’s have been ruled out at this moment in time.
Mularkey said he has been told that Mariota should not lose his ability to have mobility due to the surgery.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) December 26, 2016
Recently, Mariota was named the 2016 Polynesian Football Player of the Year. The awards and praise continue to be heaped upon the 23-year-old phenom. Yet, he continues to take it all in stride, like a real professional.
Stay tuned to ATQ for every step of Mariota’s rehabilitation process.