MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Could Marcus Mariota miss multiple games?

The Titans' franchise quarterback could return from a strained hamstring to face the Colts (2-3) on "Monday Night Football" next week at Nissan Stadium, coach Mike Mularkey said Sunday. He disputed a report from NFL Network that Mariota originally was expected to need two to four weeks to recover from an injury he suffered Oct. 1 at Houston.

"You can listen to NFL Network or you can listen to me," Mularkey said after the Titans' 16-10 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. "When I say day to day, I tell you like it is."

Mariota was expected to be a game-time decision against the Dolphins but was "not real close" to playing, Mularkey said. The game against the Colts will be two weeks from the day Mariota was injured.

Matt Cassel started against the Dolphins and completed 21 of 32 pass attempts for 141 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Phillip Supernaw to tie the score 10-10 midway through the third quarter. He also had a fumble returned for a touchdown.

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The Titans gained 20 or fewer yards on 13 of 15 possessions. They went three-and-out on eight drives and had negative yardage on three. Cassel was sacked six times.

"I think he managed the offense well," Mularkey said about Cassel. "I think there's some throws I know he'd like to have back. There's some throws that I'd like to see our guys make plays for him. I'd like to see us protect a little better. ... Overall, it's the first time he started and played a game since last year."

The Titans signed veteran Brandon Weeden on Tuesday to serve as Cassel's backup.

On the long end of the timetable presented by NFL Network, Mariota could be out through the Titans' Week 8 bye, missing three games, including an Oct. 22 visit to the Browns, and return to face the Ravens on Nov. 5 in Nashville.

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Is there a chance he plays against the Colts next Monday?

"I feel better about that one than this one," Mularkey said. "I held out hope, but I feel better about that one."

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.