Injuries have been a rather big problem for Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota over the last couple of years, as he missed games in both 2017 and 2018 due to injury issues and played through ailments.
But this year, Mariota has been able to remain healthy and has posted respectable numbers as a result, throwing for 1,116 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 61.7 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 103.
What may be helping Mariota is the amount of weight he gained during the offseason, as he put on around 10 pounds.
“I would say (the weight gain) helped,” said Mariota, according to Erik Bacharach of The Nashville Tennessean. “I think being able to play and function at that weight, it feels good. It’s on me to continue to eat more calories and do all the extra stuff so that the weight stays where it’s at.”
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel agreed.
“Well, he’s been there every snap,” Vrabel said. “We talked about how critical durability is in this league, that you’re able to come out and play and be available and be out there. I guess the durability has been there.”
Mariota, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oregon, was originally selected by Tennessee with the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
After a couple of solid seasons to start off his NFL career, Mariota struggled mightily in 2017 and 2018, combining to throw 24 touchdowns an 23 interceptions over those two years.
The 25-year-old's questionable play has led to some debating whether or not the Titans should give up on him as the starting quarterback, but he has staved off that talk (for the most part) with his performance thus far in 2019.
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