Marcus Mariota has stinger; DC Dean Pees wants to leave the hospital

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans may have ducked the ball with Marcus Mariota's injury, according to coach Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel provided an update on his starting quarterback Monday, saying Mariota had been beaten Sunday against the Colts of Indianapolis. Mariota was injured with seconds in the first half of the 38-10 loss of the Titans against the Colts and did not return. It was originally thought that the injury was the same elbow injury as the one that had limited Mariota's effectiveness during the first few weeks of the season.

"He's getting treatment and it's not even his elbow." He had a sting when a guy hit him in the head, he was assessed by the independent neurologist and was allowed, we'll have to see where he is. and make sure he's playing well, "said Vrabel. "When you have a sting, you feel a numbness, it goes from your neck to your arm.When you wring your neck, you suffer from inflammation.That's what happens."

The Titans will get a second opinion on Mariota's injury to make sure he's able to come back under center. Vrabel and the Titans hope that everything will be fine for Mariota. He will play next Monday night against Houston Texans. If Mariota can not go, Tennessee will turn to Blaine Gabbert, who started for the Titans in the win over the Texans in the second week.

Vrabel also briefed on defense coordinator, Dean Pees, who was taken to hospital during Sunday's first quarter-match after receiving medical care in the coach's box at Lucas Oil Stadium. Pees was still in Indianapolis Monday morning but is back in Nashville because the test results looked good.

Vrabel thanked the Colts general manager, Chris Ballard, and his team for coming to the hospital and monitoring Pees, who wants to get back to work immediately.

"I thought it was an elegant decision on the part of the Colts organization.They made sure that he was comfortable and it looks like he'll be back today." # 39; hui, "said Vrabel. "Dean loves this team and his players He wanted to come today, he will not come in. I told him to rest and that he would work during the banker hours this week. morning and he was in good spirits. "

Vrabel said he received a steady stream of text messages asking for information about Pees. Vrabel said he was impressed by the number of senior coaches and assistants who contacted him and said it was a sign of the respect that Pees has within the league.

The Titans do not want to get Pees back and want to make sure he's okay before he jumps completely into the thick of it. If Pees is not able to resume his role as defensive coordinator on Monday, Vrabel will take over.