Jason Wolf

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Marcus Mariota is “doing great” after a thorough medical examination Wednesday, exactly three weeks after a metal plate was surgically implanted on his broken right fibula, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said during an interview on 102.5-FM.

“I spoke with Marcus this afternoon,” Mularkey told radio host Jared Stillman and former Titans general manager Floyd Reese. “He actually had an appointment, and they did a good thorough checkup on him. He’s on track. He’s doing great. He should be back when we get this thing rolling. I can’t tell you exact times of when he’s going to practice, but he should be ready for the season, which is what we want him for. But he’s doing good. He’s going to be a very good patient, if I have anything to do with it.”

Mariota was carted off the field with a broken right leg after being sacked late in the third quarter of a loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Dec. 24. The Titans were eliminated from playoff contention later that night, with one game remaining in the regular season.

The injury cost Mariota his first Pro Bowl appearance. He was the first alternate, but Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will play in the annual all-star game as a replacement for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who also broke his right fibula on the same day as Mariota.

Dr. Robert Anderson performed Mariota’s surgery Dec. 28 in Charlotte, N.C. The second-year franchise quarterback returned to the team’s facility two days later and watched practice with his injured leg resting on a scooter. He is supposed to keep weight off the leg for eight weeks from the time of his surgery, meaning the next phase in his recovery should begin around the end of February.

Mariota was given a four- to five-month timetable for his recovery. He is expected to be able to participate in organized team activities in mid-May or early June.

Mularkey, who served as offensive coordinator of the Falcons from 2008 to 2011, said he sees similarities between Mariota and Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who will play in the NFC championship game on Sunday and could be named this season’s NFL MVP.

“I do. I see growth. I saw Matt grow. I had him as a rookie,” Mularkey said. “I was around here, I wasn’t the head coach when Marcus was first drafted here, but I’ve seen growth in Marcus and maturity and leadership, and just watching him want to be great, that’s a lot of what Matt was.

“And again, this is probably about as well as Matt, as I’ve ever seen him play, but Marcus is very similar in the way he really prepares every week, just like Matt.”

LeBeau to return: Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who will turn 80 in September, has agreed to return for next season as expected. LeBeau had an expiring contract.

“When Mike (Mularkey) said he wanted me to stay, there was no doubt,” LeBeau told the team’s website.

Cox signs: Former Titans cornerback Perrish Cox signed with the Seahawks, according to NFL Network. Cox started 22 games with the Titans before being released Nov. 28 after the team’s victory at Chicago. Cox, 30, spent a month on Seattle’s roster in 2013.

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