Daniels Hurt! Mariota to Start for Commanders vs. Raiders?
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a knee sprain during the Week 2 loss against the Green Bay Packers, casting doubt on his availability for the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury occurred after Daniels endured a barrage of hits and sacks from the Packers defense.
An MRI revealed the sprain, and while it's not expected to be a long-term issue, head coach Dan Quinn has labeled Daniels as "day-to-day." The team will have a clearer picture of his status after Wednesday's practice.
If Daniels is unable to play, veteran Marcus Mariota is poised to step in as the starting quarterback. Mariota, a former No. 2 overall pick, signed with the Commanders in 2024 and had his contract renewed, signaling the team's confidence in him as a reliable backup.
Mariota saw action in three games last season, most notably in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers when Daniels exited with a rib injury. Mariota led the Commanders to a dominant 40-7 victory, completing 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He also played extensively in the season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Mariota has accumulated 16,184 passing yards and 97 touchdowns, along with 18 rushing touchdowns. He has a 27-28 record as a starter, primarily during his time with the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He also has playoff experience.
The Packers sacked Daniels four times and hit him a total of 12 times in Week 2, limiting his rushing ability to just 17 yards. The Commanders offense struggled overall, experiencing its worst output with Daniels under center. The Green Bay defense held the Commanders to the lowest single-game explosive play rate (3.1%) and success rate (32.3%) of Daniels' career.
Who is Marcus Mariota?
Marcus Mariota provides a veteran presence and a capable arm for the Commanders. He's proven he can step in and lead the offense when needed. The Commanders face the Raiders on September 21st, and the team will be closely monitoring Daniels' progress throughout the week to determine who will be under center.