Titans QB Mariota returns to practice

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday and was throwing the ball during the individual portion of practice. Mariota was listed as a limited participant Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice with foot and neck injuries. In the portion of practice the media is allowed to watch, Mariota was throwing the ball through rainy and windy conditions during Tennessee's second practice for Sunday night's home game against the Indianapolis Colts. "He did some stuff just to make sure that we are progressing along. I think that's the most important thing," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. "He didn't take reps that he would normally take, but he took enough to feel like we can move on to tomorrow." Mariota's neck ailment is officially classified as a stinger. There is not a correlation to a prior injury that limited his use of his thumb and pointer finger. In another sign of progress, Mariota was able to lace up his cleats in the locker room before heading to the practice field. It was something he could not do after injuring his elbow in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Mariota was injured late in the first half of Saturday's 25-16 win over the Washington Redskins and did not return. Blaine Gabbert replaced Mariota and completed 7-of-11 passes for 101 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to MyCole Pruitt. "I am doing everything I can, day and night, to try and make sure that I can be ready," Mariota said on Wednesday. "This is for everything. There is no timetable. If I can go and it is Sunday at 5 o'clock, by all means. We're just taking it one day at a time and I am going to do my best to be available." The Titans enter Week 17 on a four-game winning streak and need a victory to reach the postseason for the second straight season.