Marcus Mariota has suffered a significant injury in each of his first two seasons and he hopes to avoid sustaining an injury in 2017.

One way Tennessee Titans star quarterback is working toward that goal is to play at a lighter weight this season. According to his trainer, Mariota will play at around 215 pounds this season, about 10-15 pounds less than the weight suggested by the Titans coaching staff.

Mariota's trainer, Ryan Flaherty, the senior director of performance at Nike, says he thinks Mariota playing at the lighter weight will make him faster, more mobile and elusive to avoid potential injury-causing hits.

"I have always told Marcus that I thought he should play at 215 pounds because I felt like he was the fastest at that weight," Flaherty told reporter Paul Kuharsky. "The No. 1 injury QBs suffer in the NFL is AC sprain and that's from getting hit. I told him that they can't hit what they can't catch so he should think about playing at a weight where he is his fastest.

"Finally Marcus agrees with me and will play at 215."

Flaherty said the Titans prefer Mariota's weight to be between 225 and 230 pounds so he can protect himself from hits.

"The Titans coaches always told him they wanted him heavier and to play around 225-230 pounds to be able to absorb hits," Flaherty said. " I think you'll notice a huge difference even though it's only a difference of 10 pounds. He will be much quicker and faster this year and the goal with that will be to take less hits which will in turn keep him healthy."

Mariota has yet to play a full season in his first two years. He suffered a fractured right fibula during Week 16 and missed the final game of the regular season in 2016. He sustained two separate knee injuries that caused him to miss four games during his rookie year in 2015.

Mariota is listed at 222 pounds on the Titans website. Mariota was sacked 23 times in 2016, a dramatic decrease compared to 38 sacks in 2015. The Titans offensive line is one of the best units in the NFL, anchored by All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin and Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan. Mariota's expected improvement, along with the offensive line and a host of weapons has many predicting the Titans will win the AFC South title in 2017.

How the Titans feel about Mariota ignoring their suggestion about playing weight remains to be seen. They may want Mariota at the heavier weight based on how they plan to use him during the season. On the other, Mariota has suffered injuries at a heavier weight, and perhaps he thinks it's time for a different approach.

Flaherty said Mariota is nearly fully recovered from the broken leg, and his assessment is the same as the Titans, who expect Mariota to be ready when training camp practice begins July 29.

"He did everything the last two weeks," Flaherty told Kuharsky. "Running full speed and doing all the strength training we do. He's looking good. Really, really close to 100 percent."

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold