Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota spent a good portion of the 2018 season injured.
He missed three starts, and was sidelined due to injuries enough to the point backup signal-caller Blaine Gabbert saw action in eight games.
While there are a multitude of reasons why Mariota seemed to be so consistently banged up, one contributing factor could be a slight build.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder insisted in a recent interview that bulking up was a part of his offseason plans.
“I’m trying to get little heavier for this year,” Mariota told the Honolulu Star Advertiser. “I think it would help me absorb some of the hits. Durability is the (key). I haven’t been able to play a full season yet.”
He doesn’t have a specific goal weight in mind, though.
“I don’t have a (weight) number in mind right now. If I can be a little heavier, move around and feel good, that’s what I’d like. I’ll have to see how I feel.”
2019 is undoubtedly a pivotal season for Mariota as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
But the quarterback isn’t focused on the money or any specifics of a contract extension. It’s all about staying healthy and ending up on the right side of the win column for him.
“No matter what, my number one goal is to get healthy and from there just become a better football player and do my best to be my best when the season comes so we can win games.”
