NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Marcus Mariota didn't play in the team's season finale on Sunday night, and Titans coach Mike Vrabel preferred to discuss the team's loss to the Colts than his injured quarterback.
Mariota's teammates, however, came to his defense in the locker room after the game, speaking about his commitment to the team and his toughness after he was among the team's inactives.
"If you ask me, he's the No.1 toughest guy on the team," receiver Taywan Taylor said of Mariota. "Nobody else is in his shoes, so nobody can speak to what he is going through. I think it is unfair for anyone to question him. Nobody knows about injuries, and how his body feels. Everybody is behind him and he has our full support."
Titans safety Kevin Byard agreed: Mariota's teammates have his back.
"I think it would be foolish for anybody in the world to question this man's will to win, his toughness, his character," Byard said of Mariota. "I've seen this man fight through so many injuries and come back from so much, even this year.
"The guy is a warrior, and I have seen him get knocked down, injured, and come back and play in the same game. I would never question his toughness and his character."
Mariota was limited in practices all week because of neck and foot injuries, and listed as questionable for the contest. He was officially ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff on a night when the Titans lost 33-17 to the Colts.
Vrabel said the decision to keep Mariota sidelined was made by a group of team officials.
"It was a decision that a lot of people came together and made," Vrabel said. "He wasn't out there tonight, and wasn't available. All of our players want to play, every single guy wants to play – that's why they're in this business. Sometimes that's not always possible. … We made the decision that Marcus wasn't going to play tonight. We'll continue to evaluate him.
"Marcus didn't play tonight," Vrabel added. "I am not going to go into much detail with where he's at physically, and the decision … He didn't play, and I am not going to sit here and discuss Marcus."
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert started for the Titans, while Austin Davis served as the team's No.2 quarterback.
Mariota was injured in the first half of last Saturday's game vs. the Redskins. Mariota started 13 of the team's 16 games this season, and played in 14 of 16. He finished the year with 2,528 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He set the franchise record with a completion percentage of 68.9 %.
Mariota watched the game on the sideline, wearing a baseball cap. Mariota wasn't made available to speak to reporters after the game. He was headed out of the locker room as reporters entered following Vrabel's press conference.
"Marcus is the ultimate competitor – I know it killed him (not to play)," Titans tackle Taylor Lewan said. "I am proud of him and I am proud of Vrabel for making that decision, because I don't know if Marcus would have made a smart decision for himself because he cares about the boys that much."
The Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17 of the 2018 season on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans watch as players warm up before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) greets Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez (2) before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, left, talks with Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) talks with Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4), long snapper Luke Rhodes (46) and punter Rigoberto Sanchez (2) before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) greets Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez (2) before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, left, talks with Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The NBC broadcast crew works before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Al Michaels, right, and Cris Collinsworth, second from left, broadcast from the field before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans fans walk across a bridge to Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Fans line up to tour an NBC broadcast trailer outside Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NBC broadcasters work from the field in Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Country music star Keith Urban, center, talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and owner Amy Adams Strunk before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans fan Alex Cantu, of McAllen, Texas, arrives at Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth, left, works on the field in Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Bryson McCarley tailgates outside Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans fan Onesimo Villarreal, of San Juan, Texas, arrives at Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Ace Bailey, of Lynchburg, Va., runs a sprint outside Nissan Stadium before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, center, introduces Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich, right, to people before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, left, talks with country music star Keith Urban before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck warms up before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota watches as teammates warm up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts wSunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota watches as players warm up before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Daren Bates (53) gets pumped up with inside linebacker Will Compton (51) before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Joshua Kalu (46) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich stands for the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, center, watches as teammates warm up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Country music star Keith Urban serves as the Tennessee Titans' 12th Man before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches as players stretch before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota stands with wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota talks with wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Injured Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota watches as players warm up before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) talks with injured quarterback Marcus Mariota before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) hugs injured quarterback Marcus Mariota before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert warms up before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans players and coaches arrive for Sunday night's Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. (Photos: Al Wagner, Gary Glenn, AP)
