This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Nashville, Tenn. • Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will return to the starting lineup Sunday to face the New Orleans Saints.
Mariota, who is officially listed as probable, has missed the Titans' last two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Mariota's injury occurred on a hit from Miami's Olivier Vernon, who was penalized for roughing the passer.
"He's going to play," Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey said. "I think each day he has gotten better. To be on the turf (for Friday's practice) here, which is the same turf he's going to be on Sunday, it was good to see him move around like he did."
Mariota will wear a brace to protect the knee, but Mularkey said he isn't concerned about any issues with his quarterback's mobility.
"You can't simulate game speed, but that will show up on Sunday when the adrenaline gets flowing," Mularkey said.
The Titans will be missing wide receiver Kendall Wright and cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson on Sunday. Wright has a sprained MCL in his left knee and Wreh-Wilson has a hamstring injury.
Cornerback Jason McCourty hasn't practiced this week due to a groin injury and is listed as questionable. The Titans are expected to test him to see if he can play Sunday. If McCourty isn't available, the Titans are expected to make a roster move to add another cornerback.
Receiver Harry Douglas (ribs) and cornerback Perrish Cox (hamstring) both practiced fully all week and are probable.. Linebacker Derrick Morgan also is probable after resting his sore ankle Friday.