NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Saturday's 35-14 divisional playoff loss to the New England Patriots. Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Conklin will have surgery within the next two weeks.
Mularkey anticipates Conklin starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list, and Conklin could be a candidate to remain on the PUP list to start the regular season due to the timing of the injury. Typically, ACL injuries can take nine months to recover, so that could make Conklin's return for the start of the 2018 regular season rather tight.
"That's not how you want to go into the offseason," Mularkey said. "That's a lot of work. Jack will have no problem doing that. That's the kind of player he is, person he is. It's disappointing for him. He had a good year."
Conklin, who was voted first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2016, got rolled up on by a Patriots defender in the first quarter Saturday. Conklin has started every game for the Titans since he was drafted.
The Titans have versatile backup Dennis Kelly, who can play right tackle, but they might need to add another right tackle in case Conklin has to miss significant time in 2018.
Tight end Jonnu Smith tore the MCL in his right knee, but Mularkey does not anticipate him missing any offseason work. He expects Smith to be recovered within six weeks.
Mularkey said there are no other injuries that should carry far into the offseason. He says quarterback Marcus Mariota is not expected to have any offseason surgeries. He attributed most of Mariota's injuries to wear and tear.
Mularkey said Mariota was limited throughout the season with various hamstring, knee and shoulder injuries, but he will benefit from having a full offseason to focus on taking the next step, rather than having to rehab.