Marcus

Mariota

Mariota was deemed doubtful to play by head coach Dan Quinn earlier this week, so his absence isn’t a surprise. Josh Johnson will start for the Commanders as they close out the season against the Tanner McKee-led Eagles. Mariota finishes the year 2-6 as a starter with a 10:7 TD:INT ratio, but ran for 297 yards on 50 attempts and added a touchdown on the ground. He’s a plausible bridge quarterback for someone this offseason. But it’s more likely he’ll return in a backup role.

Not much has changed since Quinn met with reporters Monday. Mariota still isn’t practicing and his coach called him a long-shot to play and even added that he’s “likely doubtful.” Barring a miraculous recovery, Josh Johnson will be under center for Washington in Week 18 against the Eagles.

Quinn did say that “there’s still hope” that Mariota can get back on the field for the finale against Philadelphia. Assuming Mariota isn’t able to get back on the field, it’ll be Josh Johnson under center again for the Commanders.

The well-traveled journeyman quarterback will get the nod against Dallas after Marcus Mariota sustained quad and hand injuries in Week 16 against the Eagles. Johnson represents a big-time downgrade for Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and the rest of the Washington pass catchers, even in a matchup against the burnable Cowboys secondary. Look for the Commanders to go run heavy in Week 17, making Chris Rodriguez viable as a flex option in 12-team formats.

It would seem exceedingly likely that Josh Johnson will get the start on Christmas against the Cowboys. The Commanders are seven-point underdogs at home and Johnson (wincing) could be a viable superflex QB2 against one of the worst defenses in the NFL this year.

Not really breaking any news here to tell you that while Mariota playing is still in play, per Dan Quinn, he’s trending in the direction of not playing based on practice reports and common sense. Josh Johnson would be a rough superflex QB3 if he were to draw the Week 17 assignment.

Quinn said the team is still evaluating the injuries to Mariota’s throwing hand and quad. While that may be the case, we also can’t overlook the fact that the Commanders signed QB Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals’ practice squad earlier today, a move that suggests they are preparing to be a man down at QB this week. We’ll see where things go from here, but with a short week to prep for Thursday’s game against the Cowboys, it wouldn’t be surprising if Josh Johnson made the start while Driskel served as his backup.

Mariota reportedly “had stitches on his right hand and is also dealing with a quad injury,” following the Commanders’ Saturday game against the Eagles. Quinn adds that the team “would not consider playing” QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) if Mariota cannot play in Week 17 against the Cowboys. Mariota is backed up by QB Josh Johnson, who would presumably start in his stead if he is unable to play.

Mariota injured his hand on the first drive of the third quarter, and he’s been replaced by Josh Johnson. He was also evaluated for a concussion and appeared to be limping before exiting, as well. The 32-year-old signal-caller completed 7-of-14 passes for 95 yards before leaving the contest.

According to Rapoport, Daniels’ elbow injury was re-evaluated today, and he was not cleared to play. Given this, and the fact that the Commanders will face the Cowboys on a short week in Week 17, the team has decided to shut him down for the season and ride with Marcus Mariota the rest of the way. In the way everything seemed to go right for Daniels in 2024, the exact opposite could be said of his 2025 season. Daniels didn’t get to work much with his no. 1 receiver in training camp due to a contract dispute, and his on-field play took a noticeable step back when healthy. The real story, however, is injuries. Daniels appeared in only seven games for the Commanders this season due to a knee sprain he suffered in Week 2, a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 7, and a dislocated elbow he suffered in Week 9. He was knocked out of Week 14’s game against the Vikings when he attempted to return from his elbow injury, and is now officially out for the season. There was always fear that Daniels’ slender frame would leave him susceptible to injuries at the pro level, and he didn’t beat the allegations this season. Hopefully, a fully healthy offseason, coupled with revamped tools in the passing game, will yield better results for the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year.