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Marcus Mariota's recovery timetable: "4-5 months"

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will have surgery on Wednesday to repair the fractured right fibula he suffered in Saturday's loss to the Jaguars.

Mariota will need 4-5 months to recover following the procedure, which will be performed in Charlotte, N.C., by Dr. Robert Anderson. A plate will be inserted where the fracture is located, according to Titans coach Mike Mularkey.

Based on the timetable, Mularkey said he thinks Mariota could be back for some of the organized team activities in May or June. Mariota should be ready for the start of training camp in July.

Mularkey said he didn't have any concerns about how the injury might impact Mariota's mobility moving forward.

"From what I am told, he shouldn't (lose any mobility) if the surgery goes well,'' Mularkey said. "I know Bob Anderson very well – I had both of my feet operated on by him – and I think he is one of the best in the world so I feel very good about where he is going to have the surgery."

Mariota was at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Monday, when he visited with teammates and coaches.

"He is upbeat here today,'' Mularkey said of Mariota. "He understands the circumstances. He is disappointed. He is really disappointed he couldn't finish the game, the guy is such a competitor. It wasn't about the injury, it was about not being able to finish the game with his teammates. But I felt like he was upbeat today when he came in."

Mariota was injured in the third quarter on Saturday when he was sacked by Jaguars defensive lineman Sheldon Day.

He was carted off the field and placed on an air cast before being put in a more permanent cast, with crutches, after the contest.

On Monday, Mularkey praised Mariota for his improvement and attitude, and also for being a good teammate and human being.

Mariota made great strides in 2016. He was elected a first alternate to the Pro Bowl, and likely would've joined five of his Titans teammates in Orlando, Florida.

"I think he did a lot of good things,'' Mularkey said. "I think he put us in a position to have a chance to compete for the playoffs … and that is what you want.

"… I have total respect (for him). I love the player, love the man. I love everything he stands for, everything he does. I am very disappointed he got injured. He had a lot of good things ahead of him and he still does. But I am sorry to see it end his season this way, very sorry."

Some of Mariota's teammates with the Titans wished him well in his recovery, and see big things in his future as well.

"Marcus is a one-of-a-kind individual,'' Titans tackle Taylor Lewan said. "He is a positive guy. … He says he is going to come back stronger from this which we all believe."

Mariota completed 276-of-451 passes for 3,426 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016, with 26 touchdown and just nine interceptions.

He made improvements in a number of areas, from his third-down passer rating to his deep balls. He also continues to excel in the red zone, where he's now thrown 33 touchdowns and no interceptions.

"I've seen a lot of improvement out of Marcus from Year 1 until now, and I think he is just going to get better as he keeps playing and we keep protecting him and keep him healthy. I see his future being big in this league. There is a lot of room for him to get better and I think he is going to take this team to the playoffs."

TitansOnline.com looks back at Marcus Mariota's second NFL season in 2016. (AP Photos)

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