Titans to exercise caution with Mariota, target Week 1 for return

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is progressing through his recovery from a broken leg suffered near the end of the 2016 regular season, but his team is being very apprehensive about bringing the young passer back too early.

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey said the team will be "very cautious" with Mariota's injury, adding the goal will be to have him ready for Week 1 of the 2017 season, not preseason, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

The Titans will need a healthy Mariota in order to contend in the upcoming campaign. In his sophomore season, he showed marked improvement in all facets of his game, finishing the year with 3,426 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes to go along with two scores on the ground.