Titans' Mularkey: Mariota 'should be ready for season'

The Tennessee Titans 2016 season ended on a sad note, but spirits should be up by the time next season rolls around.

Having lost Marcus Mariota to a fractured fibula in Week 16 - and watched their playoff chances go with him - the Titans' main focus this offseason will be the health of their quarterback. Head coach Mike Mularkey says Mariota is on track to be ready for football before the 2017 season kicks off.

"I spoke with Marcus this afternoon," Mularkey told 102.5 The Game, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "He actually had an appointment, and they did a good thorough checkup on him.

"He's on track. He's doing great. He should be back when we get this thing rolling. I can't tell you exact times of when he's going to practice, but he should be ready for the season, which is what we want him for. But he's doing good. He's going to be a very good patient, if I have anything to do with it."

Mariota's timeline for recovery is expected to be between four and five months, which could allow him to be ready for the Titans' organized team activities in the spring. The team could, however, hold Mariota out of participation until training camp to avoid the risk of re-injury.