Quarterback Marcus Mariota said the decision to withhold him from Sunday’s game against Indianapolis was made by him and the Tennessee Titans based on the advice of a leading medical specialist.

“When you have an opportunity to play the game that you love and someone says you shouldn’t, I think that is one of the hardest things any athlete has to go through,” Mariota said during a press conference in Nashville, Tenn. today. “Ultimately, I had to deal with that.”

Indianapolis won the game, 33-17, and with it the final spot in the playoffs as the AFC’s sixth seed.

Mariota, who had been sacked a career-high 42 times this season, reportedly suffered nerve trauma the previous week against Washington, sidelined with what were listed as neck and foot injuries. His condition was evaluated during the week by Dr. Robert Watkins, a Los Angeles-based spine and neck specialist, who advises several pro teams.

“The decision was ultimately (made) between the team and myself,” Mariota told reporters.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner said, “I wasn’t able to get to a point where I was ready to go … it sucks, it hurts, when you aren’t able to be out there with your guys. It takes a toll on you. I just wanted to be there for my guys and, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that.”

Mariota said he has been told he should be able to “fully recover” and said, “From what we talked about, there is no surgical procedure (necessary). It is just going to take some time.”

Mariota said, “For what it is worth, I will learn from it, grow from it.” He said he would, “Just use this as a part of my process, find ways to get healthy and get ready to go.”