A victory over the Redskins on Sunday kept the Titans in playoff contention.

But they need to win their season finale against the Colts – and will likely have to do so without quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Blaine Gabbert finished Sunday’s game after Mariota left when he was tackled and landed directly on the back of his right throwing elbow. The blow was slightly dampened by his wrist and forearm taking the brunt of the collision.

By video, it was a relatively innocuous hit and fall.


The Titans say Mariota suffered a stinger.

Video does not indicate a classic stinger at all, as there was no neck or shoulder involvement. A stinger typically involves a nerve in the brachial plexus, not at the elbow.

Mariota had a previous ulnar nerve issue at the elbow where he lost some feeling in his fourth and fifth fingers, which resulted in a weak grip. He missed the Titans’ Week 2 game and was not quite right for multiple weeks.

It is likely that the term “stinger” is now being used loosely to convey a nerve issue going down the arm.


My worry is this is a re-aggravation of the ulnar nerve issue.

In general, a nerve issues resolves in seconds or minutes. When it doesn’t, it takes weeks (or sometimes months.)

At this point, it seems likely the Titans will have to win with Gabbert unless they choose to play Mariota at less than 100 percent.

He left after Sunday’s game in a cart. Clearly, he could have walked, so it seemed a ride of courtesy and perhaps so that he did not have to walk past reporters.


The nerve issue should resolve on its own. Given how it is somewhat recurrent, however, Mariota may undergo an offseason nerve transposition where the ulnar nerve is moved to a less vulnerable spot.

His career is not in jeopardy, but his finish to this season is.