He has no concerns about returning to the field where his season ended last Christmas Eve with a broken right leg . He had to be carted off to the locker room.

Worse, the injury came late in the third quarter with the Titans trailing 25-10 in a game they needed to win to keep their division title hopes alive. With a victory against the Jags and another win the following week against the Houston Texans, the Titans would have clinched the franchise’s first AFC South title and playoff berth since 2008.

That’s something Mariota will talk about.

”We didn’t play very well,” Mariota said Wednesday . ”Left a bad taste in our mouth. You know that’s something I think for a lot of guys lingered throughout the offseason. Obviously, we want to play better. We want to play to our potential.”

Mariota has left Jacksonville with a loss in each of his first two seasons, though the last game was easily his worst yet against the Jaguars.

He was pressured from the start and was 8 of 20 for 99 yards and a touchdown. Then Sheldon Day got the Jaguars’ second sack late in the third quarter, grabbing Mariota around the ankles and taking the quarterback down. Mariota immediately signaled to the sideline and pounded the ground. Trainers put an air cast around his right leg and ankle and put him on a cart.

”Once he was carted off, I knew he was hurt,” Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker said. ”Usually Marcus can take a hit, and if he’s hurt he’ll still get up and play. When he couldn’t get up, it hit me. That’s our leader, and to see him down and get carted off the field, that hurts.”

Mariota needed surgery and couldn’t put weight on his right leg for weeks. But the No. 2 pick overall in 2015 and the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner was ready for the start of training camp.

Jaguars coach Doug Marrone got his first win in first game as interim coach against the Titans, and he thinks Mariota looks great coming off a 26-16 loss to Oakland.

”I think that he continues to get better, I think he continues to get better and better with the system,” Marrone said. ”He’s operating at a very high level. He’s a very dangerous player because he can beat you with his arm, beat you with his feet, does well on his progressions. There’s really not any type of flaw that I see in his game.”

That may be why Titans coach Mike Mularkey sees no need to dwell on any negatives of that 38-17 loss in Jacksonville or Mariota’s injury in that game. He prefers a history lesson only when something good happened.

”We have guys that already know for a fact that they made a mistake or they didn’t play good, they don’t need me to reinforce it. He’ll be ready to go,” Mularkey said of Mariota.

The Titans have too much on the line trying to avoid an 0-2 start in a crucial game after spending the offseason talking about needing to do better inside the AFC South.

”Obviously a goal for us is to win our division, and it’s got to start somewhere,” Mariota said. ”Sunday’s a great opportunity for us.”

Notes: DT Jurrell Casey (lower back) did not practice, and LB Wesley Woodyard was sent home sick. S Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) did not practice along with CB Tye Smith (broken hand). CB LeShaun Sims (groin) practiced fully after missing the season opener.

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The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced the award Thursday.

”What an incredible gift,” Mariota said in a video recorded at the Titans’ headquarters, where he is recovering from surgery to repair a broken right fibula. ”I am truly, truly blessed. Thank you to the entire Polynesian Hall of Fame staff and selection committee. I’m truly honored by this prestigious award and look forward to representing it with high regard and a high standard.”

Arizona guard Mike Iupati won the inaugural award in 2015 honoring the top player of Polynesian ancestry.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mariota was born in Honolulu and is of Samoan descent. Mariota became the first player of Polynesian ancestry to win the Heisman Trophy, at Oregon in 2014 , and also became the Hall of Fame’s inaugural college football player of the year.

In 2016, Mariota had a 95.6 passer rating that ranked third in franchise history. He was 276 of 451 for 3,426 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 349 yards and two touchdowns.

Mariota also was chosen an alternate to the Pro Bowl. He broke his right leg Dec. 24 in a loss to Jacksonville and missed the final game of the season.

”He is a tremendous role model and a source of great pride for Polynesians everywhere,” said Jesse Sapolu, chairman of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.

Mariota will receive the award Jan. 20 and also be a team captain at the inaugural Polynesian Bowl on Jan. 21 in Oahu, Hawaii.

Other finalists were Iupati, Carolina defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Cleveland defensive tackle Danny Shelton, and Detroit offensive lineman Larry Warford. Mariota was selected by a committee featuring former coaches Dick Tomey, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil; broadcasters Neil Everett and Robert Kekaula; NFL consultant Gil Brandt; and past NFLPA president Kevin Mawae, a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.

Mariota congratulated the other finalists and also thanked the Titans organization, his teammates and coaches.

”I really have to thank them and give them a lot of credit,” Mariota said. ”They are really what helped and allowed me to have the successful year that I had. I’d also like to thank my family and friends and people back home, in the state of Oregon who’ve also kind of reached and helped me to get to the position I am today. Without their help, without their sacrifice, I would not be able to stand in front of you today.”

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Polynesian Football Hall of Fame: www.PolynesianFootballHOF.org

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That’s very chilly for a native of Hawaii and will be among the top five coldest games all-time for the Tennessee franchise.

”I’m looking forward to it,” Mariota said. ”It’s going to be a fun atmosphere and can’t wait to do it.”

Mariota said one of his last games at Oregon was played in temperatures in the 20s, but nothing like what the Titans will see Sunday. At least the sun will be out, with no snow in the forecast.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick overall in 2015 and other star athletes took part in a Nike commercial last year showing Mariota and other NFL stars playing on a snow day.

No, that commercial did not prepare Mariota to play in the cold .

”If you think bubbles and fake snow is going to get us ready for Sunday …” Mariota said with a laugh. ”No, but it was lot of fun to be able to do that. Nike did a fun event.

”All in all, we’ll be ready for Sunday.”

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SCRAMBLING QB: New Miami Dolphins backup quarterback T.J. Yates said he spent 18 hours a day at his new job this week, taking only an occasional break for ”a six-hour nap” while he learned the offense – and the names of teammates.

He didn’t get a chance to meet his blockers until he stepped into the huddle at practice.

”I introduced myself to the offensive line on the first play,” Yates said. ”I got in there: `Hi guys, how are you doing?’

”I’ll certainly learn names. Right now it’s just numbers.”

Yates is a sixth-year veteran with seven career starts, including one in the 2011 playoffs with Houston. He also has played for Atlanta.

He signed Tuesday and will back up Matt Moore on Saturday night at the New York Jets, part of a shakeup at the position after starter Ryan Tannehill sprained his left knee last week.

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CHEETAH SPEED: Opposing NFL teams are quickly recognizing the speed of Tyreek Hill , but Kansas City’s rookie wide receiver has known since he was 6 years old that he’s faster than just about anyone else.

”My older cousins took me on this dirt road,” he recalled this week, ”and there were wild dogs and it was crazy. My cousins are like, 12, and I’m the youngest. The dogs came out and I outran everybody. I was scared; it was a wild thing. Everybody was running, but I was the first one back to the house.”

His family dubbed him ”Cheetah” for his speed, and the nickname ultimately stuck.

It still fits, too. Hill’s speed is a big reason he’s scored on the ground, through the air and on punt and kickoff returns this season, the first rookie since Gale Sayers in 1965 to accomplish the feat.

His punt return TD last week against Oakland earned him AFC special teams player of the week.

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KAP’S IMPACT: Colin Kaepernick’s explanation of his decision to not stand for the national anthem before 49ers games has been chosen one of the 10 most impactful communications actions this year by Decker Communications.

Nominations for positive or negative impactful communications were solicited by Decker, which provides communication strategies, training and actionable insights to executives and their staffs at Fortune 500 companies, to leading nonprofits and to startups. All nominations were vetted by an internal committee.

Labeled ”The Knee Drop Heard `Round the World,” Kaepernick’s justification of his actions was listed 10th by Decker. The company’s review of Kaepernick’s TV interview:

”Are you going to make a point or make a difference? We all have an opportunity and a choice.

”Colin Kaepernick made a point, but he missed the opportunity to make a difference. He was not prepared to articulate his point of view, and he missed a massive opportunity to speak with passion and purpose. Of course people would want to know what he was doing.

”It’s a lesson about what happens in any miscommunication: you mean one thing, and the audience absorbs another. While he’s saying all the right things, his behaviors are defensive and sketchy.”

Other sports items on Decker Communications’ list were Vin Scully’s goodbye speech at Dodger Stadium (No. 4), and Ryan Lochte’s handling of his problems at the Rio Olympics (No. 7).

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OFFSPRING: A sectional high school playoff game on Friday night in California figured to feature quite an array of celebrity fans in the stands.

Cathedral Catholic High School, which is located in San Diego, was taking on St. Mary’s. Cathedral’s quarterback is Tate Haynes, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes. And the sons of four other NFL alums were also on the roster: John Lynch’s son Jake; Rick Mirer’s son Morrison; John Carney’s son JD; and Eric Allen’s son Jordan.

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AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner and Teresa M. Walker, and Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Steven Wine contributed.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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2:55 p.m.

Marcus Mariota is getting the best of his first matchup against two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers – at least through the first half.

The No. 2 pick overall in the 2015 draft completed his first 10 passes Sunday and reached halftime 12 of 18 for 216 yards with three touchdowns. Mariota threw a TD pass to Anthony Fasano to cap a 21-point first quarter, and he threw a 32-yard TD pass to Rishard Matthews and a 6-yarder to Kendall Wright.

His third TD pass gave the Titans a 35-10 lead with 1:55 left in the first half.

Rodgers answered with a 13-yard TD pass to James Starks, but Tennessee took a 35-16 lead into halftime.

– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tenn.

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2:45 p.m.

On consecutive plays to end the first half, wide receivers Julio Jones and Dorial Green-Beckham played deep safety for the Falcons and Eagles, respectively.

Jones came in to play defense when Philadelphia went for fourth-and-1 from the Falcons 48 with :08 seconds left in the first half. Carson Wentz threw the ball away instead of running out the clock and the Falcons took over for a chance at a desperation play. So, the 6-foot-5 Green-Beckham entered on defense for the Eagles. But Matt Ryan didn’t get a chance to heave a deep pass and threw it away to end the half. The Eagles lead the Falcons 7-6.

– Rob Maaddi reporting from Philadelphia.

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2:40 p.m.

Blair Walsh missed again.

The Minnesota Vikings kicker, who managed to keep his job despite all sorts of accuracy issues, shanked an extra point wide right at the end of the first half against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. That left Minnesota’s lead at 20-14 heading into halftime.

Walsh is only 15 of 19 on PATS this season, 79 percent.

The Vikings brought in six free-agent kickers during the week for a tryout to replace Walsh, but the team wound up sticking with him. In last week’s loss to Detroit, Walsh missed an extra point, had a field goal blocked and put a kickoff into the end zone when it was supposed to land inside the 10-yard line.

– Howard Fendrich reporting from Landover, Md.

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2:35 p.m.

Denver controlled the first 29 minutes against the Saints, intercepting Drew Brees twice and taking a 10-0 lead. But as the second half kicks off, New Orleans is just one score down thanks to a late-first-half interception by Sterling Moore. Brees then marched New Orleans 50 yards in 27 seconds to set up a short Wil Lutz field goal, and the score is now 10-3.

– Brett Martel reporting from New Orleans.

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2:00 p.m.

Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles can’t even throw the ball away properly.

Under pressure and trying to ground it near covered running back T.J. Yeldon, Bortles hit Yeldon’s foot and the ball bounced into the air. Houston linebacker Whitney Mercilus picked it off, giving the Texans the ball at midfield. They missed a 49-yard field goal, but still led 14-7 in the second quarter.

It was Bortles’ second interception of the game and his sixth in the last five games. His first one was returned for a touchdown.

– Mark Long reporting from Jacksonville.

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1:55 p.m.

So far, Denver’s No. 1 pass defense is owning New Orleans’ top-rated pass offense.

The Broncos made interceptions on two straight Drew Brees passes, both by Darian Stewart. The first ended a promising Saints drive at the Denver 7-yard line. When New Orleans regained possession, Brees’ next pass over the middle for rookie Mochael Thomas deflected by Bradley Roby and caught, once again, by Stewart. He returned it to the New Orleans 39, setting up a 50-yard field goal by Brandon McManus that put the Broncos up 10-0 in the second quarter.

– Brett Martel reporting from New Orleans.

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1:50 p.m.

A difficult catch that was initially ruled incomplete has given Denver a 7-0 lead over the New Orleans Saints.

Receiver Jordan Taylor made a leaping 14-yard catch near the sideline, but was immediately hit by Saints safety Jairus Byrd, who tried to rip the ball out. Taylor momentarily lost his handle on the ball, but was able regather control as he landed on his side with one foot out of bounds.

However, video replay showed Taylor’s knee came down in bounds before the foot touched on the white line. That was enough evidence to overturn the call and give Denver an early lead in the Superdome.

-Brett Martel reporting from New Orleans.

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1:40 p.m.

The Panthers have lost punter Andy Lee to a hamstring injury. Kicker Graham Gano was forced into punting duties in the first quarter and launched a 42-yard punt, his first attempt since 2010.

Lee’s return is listed as questionable.

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1:35 p.m.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has become the first player in NFL history with 20,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing in the first six NFL seasons.

Newton also passed Jake Delhomme for the most completions in franchise history with 1,581. Newton completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Greg Olsen in the first quarter to break the record.

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1:30 p.m.

Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan has been ejected in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers after making contact with an official.

The Titans were lining up for just their second official play with a 7-0 lead when officials threw a handful of flags with Letroy Guion going unabated to quarterback Marcus Mariota. Lewan was arguing with Guion when back judge Steve Freeman was trying to break up the Titans and Packers.

Lewan appeared on replays to push away Freeman’s hand.

Officials talked over the penalties, and an angry Lewan headed to the locker room. He was replaced by Dennis Kelly.

The Titans capped the drive with running back DeMarco Murray throwing a 10-yard pass to Delanie Walker for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tennessee.

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1:25 p.m.

Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray needed only one carry Sunday to match a franchise record originally set by Earl Campbell.

Murray took his first handoff 75 yards for a touchdown Sunday against Green Bay, giving him his fifth straight game with at least one rushing touchdown. Campbell, now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, did that in 1979 for the then-Houston Oilers.

The Titans running back came into Sunday as the NFL’s second-leading rusher in his first season in Tennessee. Murray had been tied with LenDale White (2008), Eddie George (2000), Gary Brown (1993), Alonzo Highsmith (1989) and Campbell (1981) with four straight games with a rushing TD.

– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tenn.

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1:15 p.m.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have failed once again to score a touchdown on their opening possession, extending the NFL’s longest current TD drought to open games.

Jacksonville’s streak is now at 23 games after Blake Bortles threw an interception against Houston on Sunday. Kareem Jackson stepped in front of Allen Hurns and returned it 42 yards for a score.

The Jaguars haven’t found the end zone on their opening drive since Week 2 of the 2015 season against Miami. Since then, they have 17 punts, three field goals and now three turnovers – all interceptions this season – in their initial possessions. Bortles also threw opening-drive picks against Green Bay and Chicago.

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1:05 p.m.

The Tennessee Titans’ attempt to catch the Green Bay Packers by surprise on the opening kickoff with an onside kick failed.

The Titans won the toss, deferred and the Packers went back to receive the kickoff.

Kicker Ryan Succop dribbled the ball off the tee with teammates moving quickly to recover the ball. But the ball went right at Packers linebacker Joe Thomas, and he recovered at the Tennessee 49.

But the Titans forced the Packers to go three-and-out on the opening drive for a nice start against a Green Bay offense that came in having scored seven touchdowns in the first quarter of its first eight games.

– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tenn.

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His third mistake counted and couldn’t have been more costly Sunday.

Mariota fumbled when sacked, and Robert Mathis picked up the ball and ran 14 yards for the clinching touchdown in a 34-26 loss to the Indianapolis Colts . This latest loss leaves the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft just 2-8 on his home field for his career with his latest turnover bringing that total to 19: six fumbles and 13 interceptions.

Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey said the key is protecting the ball better.

”That’s one of the things we have to stop doing,” Mularkey said.

The Titans (3-4) trailed 27-23 when they got the ball at their own 25 with 1:55 left and a timeout. A perfect moment for Mariota to follow up his winning performance of a week ago against Cleveland.

On the first play, T.Y. McGill came through the Titans’ line where Brian Schwenke replaced starting left guard Quinton Spain, who was carted off the field in the second quarter. McGill stripped Mariota of the ball , which Mathis grabbed for the easy TD with 1:47 left.

”I was trying to step up in the pocket and make a throw to the left,” Mariota said. ”They moved from the pressure, probably could have moved away from it. It was one of those things that was kind of perfect timing for him. I was separating my hands to throw the football. He just kind of poked at it and ended up knocking it out.”

Josh McNary’s hit on Titans tight end Delanie Walker wiped out Patrick Robinson’s interception late in the third quarter, and Mariota later dropped the ball in the same drive for a 9-yard loss to end the quarter. But Mariota capped the drive with a TD pass.

Mariota finished throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. But the Titans quarterback was streaky, opening the game completing his first five passes with the last a 10-yard TD pass to left tackle Taylor Lewan. Then he missed five of his next six passes, throwing too high. He sailed a pass to Andre Johnson on third-and-1 in the second quarter.

The quarterback took the blame, noting he also missed Rishard Matthews on a deep pass down the field.

”Again, that really was on me,” Mariota said. ”I mean I just missed throws in the pass game, especially on third down. We can’t be missing those opportunities. We’ve got to continue to move the chains, allow us to either score points or pin them deep.”

Mariota completed passes to seven different receivers counting Lewan.

Tight end Delanie Walker, who caught a 7-yard TD pass that tied the game at 20 early in the fourth quarter, thinks Mariota was trying to throw to him before fumbling and said the quarterback might be taking too much of the blame for the team’s offensive struggles.

”He only plays one position,” Walker said. ”We all go to do our part.”

With the loss, the Titans missed a chance yet at their longest winning streak since 2011. They wrap up a three-game home stand Thursday night hosting Jacksonville and still searching for both ball security and offensive consistency with the second-year quarterback.

”With what happened (Sunday), guys are hungry to get back on the field,” Mariota said. ”It’s an opportunity to get back on track and get rolling again.”

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Still, the rookie is ready for a break.

Mariota wraps up his first NFL offseason Thursday with the final day of the Titans’ three-day minicamp.

It’s been a hectic six weeks as the No. 2 pick overall works to learn a new offense and new teammates. Before that, the Heisman Trophy winner had the grind of preparing for the NFL draft.

So the quarterback is ready for a little rest before the start of training camp.

But Mariota has been so busy he said Wednesday he hasn’t planned a vacation.

Wherever Mariota goes, coach Ken Whisenhunt says he’s confident the rookie will study his playbook regularly and will be ready for training camp July 30.

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Online:

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