With starting quarterback Marcus Mariota “day to day” due to a hamstring injury, the Tennessee Titans signed former Cleveland Browns signal-caller Brandon Weeden to a one-year deal to provide depth to the team, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The 33-year-old Weeden will back up Matt Cassel in case Mariota can’t start due to the injury, which he suffered on his second touchdown run late in the first half. Before he was sidelined, Mariota completed six of 10 passes for 96 yards and two interceptions and ran for 39 yards and two scores for the Titans (2-2).
Cassel played in the second half but fared no better, completing just four of 10 passes for 21 yards and two interceptions as the Titans lost to the Houston Texans, 57-14, on Sunday. While Mariota’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious, the Titans are taking the side of caution and preparing for a possibility that their starter might be sidelined for some time. “I'm going to take it day by day with Marcus and make sure we're smart with him," Titans coach Mike Mularkey said, per Conor Orr of NFL.com.
Weeden did not play in 2016
The Texans recently released Weeden, who did not play at all in 2016 while serving as the third quarterback behind Brock Osweiler and Tom Savage. Weeden played two seasons for the Browns, who took him 22nd overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.
He also played nine games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and 2015 before he signed with the Texans, where he suited up for two games. In 34 career games, Weeden threw for 6,462 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions, completing just 57.9 percent of his passes. Before signing Weeden, Pro Football Talk reported that the Titans also considered Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and T.J.
Yates.
John Fox explained decision to start Trubisky
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox explained his decision to bench veteran quarterback Mike Glennon and start No. 2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky. “It was time. I think he’s ready,” said Fox, who reached the decision to make a quarterback change after the Bears dropped to 1-3 with Glennon as signal-caller.
Trubisky’s mettle will be tested when the Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.
Despite the big challenge ahead of him, Trubisky said he’s not pressured at all, saying he will just play his usual game. Trubisky was impressive in the preseason, completing 36 of 53 passes fro 364 yards and three touchdowns with no interception. Glennon, for his part, completed 93 of 140 throws for 833 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions in four starts with the Bears. He was signed to a three-year, $45 million deal to be the starting quarterback and mentor for Trubisky.
