After running just 11 times in his first six games, Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota has run a combined 10 times in his last two games.
Look for the more mobile Mariota trend to continue, according to Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey.
“We’re tinkering a little more with his running ability,” Mularkey said. “As he’s gotten healthier, we’ve put more things in there that has given him the (ability to) run. It doesn’t mean he’s going to, but it gives him the opportunity to run.
“I like to see that if it is a breakdown (in a play), he’s got to get out of the pocket. That’s some of the things you’re seeing some of the other guys do. (Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles) has had a lot of success making plays out of the pocket. So we could see that the next six weeks.”
Mariota flashed his running ability against Buffalo (5-49) in Week 5, but prior to the last two weeks, he only had six rushes in the other five games. Over the last two weeks he has run the ball 10 times for 53 yards and a touchdown, but has failed to throw a touchdown pass. If Mariota can consistently run the ball, it will raise his week-to-week floor as a fantasy quarterback.