|
 Whisenhunt made the accusation against Dolphin defensive end Olivier
Vernon, who hit Mariota late and low in the second quarter, after
the quarterback had disposed of the ball.
"That's not the way you play football. I think it was done with the
idea of trying to hurt our quarterback...," Whisenhunt told
reporters
Mariota is a rookie NFL quarterback who was taken second in the 2015
draft after a stellar career at the University of Oregon, where he
won the 2014 Heisman Trophy awarded to the outstanding player in
collegiate football.
He incurred an injury to his left knee but after receiving
treatment, returned to the game wearing a brace.
Mariota, who was sacked five times as the Titans lost 38-10, is
expected to undergo tests on Monday to determine the extent of the
injury.
He was more forgiving that his coach.
[to top of second column] |
"I don't think it was malicious," Mariota said, adding that Vernon
had personally apologized for the hit.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by John
O'Brien)
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