NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Quarterback Marcus Mariota is close to a return from his knee injury, just not this week for the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans announced Friday that they will hold Mariota out for a second straight game Sunday. Zach Mettenberger will start at Houston.
"He made a lot of progress this week," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I think he's close, but we're not going to play him this week. I think that's the best decision for him, and that's what we're going to go with.
"I think physically he's probably right on the line of being ready to go. But it's a tough enough position to play without getting the bulk of the reps, and that was part of it"
Mariota, who sprained the MCL in his left knee Oct. 17 against the Miami Dolphins, was limited to individual work in practice this week. Mariota may be on track to return to action on Nov. 8 when the Titans travel to face the New Orleans Saints (see full story).
49ers: Hyde will not play
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde has been ruled out of Sunday's game at the St. Louis Rams because of an injured left foot.
Hyde, the NFL's ninth-leading rusher with 470 yards on 115 carries and three touchdowns, did not practice this week.
NFL
Coach Jim Tomsula had previously said the decision to play Hyde on the artificial surface at St. Louis would be made on game day. But the 49ers said after Friday afternoon's practice that the team's medical staff met with Tomsula and officially ruled Hyde out.
Without Hyde, San Francisco is likely to turn to 10-year veteran Reggie Bush, who has been in and out of the lineup with a calf injury. The team's other available running backs are rookies Mike Davis and former Australian Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne.
In four games, Bush has eight carries for 28 yards and four receptions for 19 yards. The 30-year-old was signed to a one-year deal in March after stints with the Saints, Dolphins and Lions.
San Francisco (2-5) has the league's lowest-ranked offense in both scoring and yardage. With Hyde leading the way, the 49ers rank 17th in rushing offense, averaging 110 yards per game.
Seahawks: Okung doubtful for Sunday
RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks may be without starting left tackle Russell Okung for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Okung injured his ankle in practice Thursday and was unable to practice Friday before the Seahawks traveled to Dallas. He was initially listed as doubtful on the team's injury report, but head coach Pete Carroll said Okung is questionable and will be a game-time decision.
"We'll see what happens with Russell," Carroll said. "He caught his ankle yesterday in practice and got it rolled up a little bit."
Okung briefly left last week's game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a foot injury that forced him to miss two plays, but Carroll said this issue is unrelated. If Okung is unable to play, Alvin Bailey would likely get the start at left tackle.
Whoever starts at left tackle will have his hands full trying to block Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy.
NFL: Fairley, Branch fined
NEW YORK -- St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Andre Branch were each fined $17,363 by the NFL on Friday for illegal hits on quarterbacks last weekend.
Fairley was called for roughing the passer against Cleveland's Josh McCown in the fourth quarter of St. Louis' 24-6 victory Sunday.
Branch was docked for a high hit on Buffalo's EJ Manuel in the fourth quarter of Jacksonville's 34-31 victory in London.
New York Jets cornerback Darrin Walls was fined $8,681 for unnecessary after his low block during a kickoff in a 30-23 loss at New England.
San Diego defensive end Corey Liuget and Oakland offensive tackle Donald Penn were docked $8,681 each for unnecessary roughness in their games.