When the NFL scheduled the Commanders to play on Christmas, the hope was that they’d be showcasing quarterback Jayden Daniels against the Cowboys.
They’ll have to settle for Josh Johnson. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Wednesday that Johnson will be getting the start in the first of the three games scheduled for Thursday.
Daniels was shut down for the season last week due to a left elbow injury and Marcus Mariota has been ruled out due to the hand and quad injuries he suffered in last Saturday’s loss to the Eagles. Jeff Driskel will serve as Washington’s backup quarterback.
Johnson will be making his first regular season start since he was with the Ravens in 2021. He’s started eight other NFL games, including three for Washington during the 2018 season. He also started games for the Bucs in 2009 and 2011, which makes for one of the more unusual career records in league history.
The Commanders have also ruled out linebacker Nick Bellore (concussion), defensive tackle Daron Payne (back), and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique).
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The Cowboys are out of the playoffs for a second consecutive season and for the fifth time in Dak Prescott’s 10 seasons. They have not made the NFC Championship Game, much less the Super Bowl, since 1995. It is the longest title game drought in the conference.
Prescott, though, has issued a guarantee for 2026.
“We won’t be back here in this spot,” Prescott said Tuesday, via Todd Archer of ESPN.
The Cowboys were 7-10 last season. They are 6-8-1 this season and need to beat the Commanders and Giants to avoid back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since going 5-11 for three consecutive seasons from 2000-02.
“I feel like the last few times I’ve said that were playoff losses,” Prescott said. “Each year has its own troubles. Each year has its own highs, lows, ebbs and flows and everything within it. The importance is controlling what you can. . . . I’m going to do my damnedest, controlling what I can and as you get older, I think having more input, having more say so and being asked more questions from the front office. Maybe there’s a little bit more that I can do, and it’s not physically or me getting better at my game. Maybe it’s speaking up and saying that this will help or I think this can help. Whatever it takes, once again I’m going to do my damnedest and make sure that I’m influencing and encouraging everybody else around me, not just the players, to do the same.”
Despite the Cowboys and their final two opponents having been eliminated from the postseason, Prescott said he plans to play the final two games.
He has thrown for 4,175 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, earning him a fourth Pro Bowl. Prescott, though, has only two playoff wins. The clock is ticking.
“My success, that accolade is 100 percent is shared with each and every one of those guys in there,” Prescott said. “It’s pretty cool to be a Pro Bowler, but at the end of the day, it’s not what we’re going for.”
It’s looking more like Josh Johnson will start at quarterback for the Commanders against the Cowboys on Thursday.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota was listed as a non-participant on Washington’s Tuesday injury report, the club’s second of the week. Mariota suffered hand and quad injuries on the same play in last Saturday’s loss to the Eagles, with Johnson coming on in relief.
In his 18th pro season, Johnson is in his second stint with Washington. He has appeared in seven games with three starts for the franchise. He completed 5-of-9 passes for 43 yards with an interception on Saturday.
While Jayden Daniels has not been placed on injured reserve to continue to practice, head coach Dan Quinn noted earlier this week that he is not an option to start.
The Commanders also have Jeff Driskel on their 53-man roster and Sam Hartman on their practice squad.
Linebacker Nick Bellore (concussion), defensive tackle Daron Payne (back), and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) also were listed as non-participants.
Daniels (elbow) remains limited.
Offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (shin), offensive tackle George Fant (knee), linebacker Bobby Wagner (knee), and tight end Colson Yankoff (ankle) were full participants.
Additionally, Washington waived receiver Jamal Agnew with a failed physical designation.
Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy’s practice participation moved in the wrong direction on Tuesday.
Flournoy was listed as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report due to the knee injury he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, but he was out of practice on Tuesday. The Cowboys will give a final update on his status for Thursday’s game against the Commanders on Wednesday.
Left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) remained out of practice.
Right guard Tyler Booker (ankle), cornerback Josh Butler (knee), cornerback Caelen Carson (hamstring), running back Phil Mafah (shoulder), defensive end Payton Turner (ribs), wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (shoulder), running back Javonte Williams (neck), defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (neck) and safety Donovan Wilson (hip) remained limited participants.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark (hand) and running back Malik Davis (toe) joined cornerback Shavon Revel (knee), guard T.J. Bass (thumb), and offensive tackle Nate Thomas (shoulder) as full participants.
The AFC and NFC rosters for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games were announced on Tuesday morning.
Votes from fans, coaches and players were used to select the teams. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce led the fan vote and was named to his 11th Pro Bowl. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and Bears safety Kevin Byard were the other leaders in that vote, but Williams is not on the initial NFC roster.
Chargers tackle Joe Alt did make the AFC roster despite playing in only six games before being shut down with an ankle injury.
Three teams — the Jets, Saints and Vikings — have no Pro Bowlers. The Broncos, 49ers, Ravens, and Seahawks each had six players selected.
The Pro Bowl Games will be held in San Francisco on February
The full rosters appear below with starters indicated by an asterisk.
AFC
Quarterback: Josh Allen*, Buffalo Bills; Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers; Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Running back: De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins; James Cook, Buffalo Bills; Jonathan Taylor*, Indianapolis Colts
Fullback: Patrick Ricard*, Baltimore Ravens
Wide receiver: Ja’Marr Chase*, Cincinnati Bengals; Nico Collins*, Houston Texans; Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens; Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Tight end: Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders*; Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive tackle: Joe Alt*, Los Angeles Chargers; Garett Bolles*, Denver Broncos; Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills
Offensive guard: Quinn Meinerz*, Denver Broncos; Quenton Nelson*, Indianapolis Colts; Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Center: Creed Humphrey*, Kansas City Chiefs; Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens
Defensive end: Will Anderson Jr.*, Houston Texans; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders; Myles Garrett*, Cleveland Browns
Interior linemen: Zach Allen, Denver Broncos; Chris Jones*, Kansas City Chiefs; Jeffrey Simmons*, Tennessee Titans
Outside linebacker: Nik Bonitto*, Denver Broncos; Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers; T.J. Watt*, Pittsburgh Steelers
Inside/middle linebacker: Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans; Roquan Smith*, Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback: Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots; Derek Stingley Jr.*, Houston Texans; Pat Surtain II*, Denver Broncos; Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns
Free safety: Jalen Ramsey*, Pittsburgh Steelers
Strong safety: Kyle Hamilton*, Baltimore Ravens; Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
Long-snapper: Ross Matiscik*, Jacksonville Jaguars
Punter: Jordan Stout*, Baltimore Ravens
Place-kicker: Cameron Dicker*, Los Angeles Chargers
Return specialist: Chimere Dike*, Tennessee Titans
Special-teamer: Ben Skowronek*, Pittsburgh
NFC
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford*, Los Angeles Rams; Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks; Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs*, Detroit Lions; Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers; Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk*, San Francisco 49ers
Wide receiver: Puka Nacua*, Los Angeles Rams; Jaxon Smith-Njigba*, Seattle Seahawks; George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Tight end: Trey McBride*, Arizona Cardinals; George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive tackle: Penei Sewell*, Detroit Lions; Tristan Wirfs* Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive guard: Tyler Smith*, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thuney*, Chicago Bears; Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
Center: Drew Dalman*, Chicago Bears; Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive end: Aidan Hutchinson*, Detroit Lions; Micah Parsons*, Green Bay Packers; DeMarcus Lawrence, Seattle Seahawks
Interior linemen: Jalen Carter*, Philadelphia Eagles; Leonard Williams*, Seattle Seahawks, Quinnen Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Outside linebacker: Brian Burns*, New York Giants, Jared Verse*, Los Angeles Rams; Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams
Inside/middle linebacker: Jack Campbell*, Detroit Lions; Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
Cornerback: Jaycee Horn*, Carolina Panthers; Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Free safety: Kevin Byard III*, Chicago Bears; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Strong safety: Budda Baker*, Arizona Cardinals
Long-snapper: Jon Weeks*, San Francisco 49ers
Punter: Tress Way*, Washington Commanders
Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey*, Dallas Cowboys
Return specialist: Rashid Shaheed*, Seattle Seahawks
Special-teamer: Luke Gifford*, San Francisco 49ers
The Commanders estimated eight players as non-participants in Monday’s walk-through.
Defensive tackles Eddie Goldman (concussion), Daron Payne (back) and Javon Kinlaw (rest) were among those sitting out.
Linebacker Nick Bellore (concussion), wide receiver Jaylin Lane (ankle), quarterback Marcus Mariota (right hand/quad), left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (knee/rest) were the other Commanders to miss the session.
Tunsil, who missed Saturday’s game, could finish the season on injured reserve.
Brandon Coleman, who replaced Tunsil against the Eagles, was a full participant with a shin injury.
Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will not play again this season because of a left elbow injury, was limited.
The Commanders will start Josh Johnson against the Cowboys on Christmas Day. Jeff Driskel, who signed Monday, will backup Johnson.
The Cowboys listed 15 players on their estimated injury report on Monday.
Left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) did not practice.
Overshown left Sunday’s game against the Chargers after being diagnosed with his head injury. Guyton has missed the past four games with his injury.
The Cowboys estimated left guard Tyler Booker (ankle), cornerback Josh Butler (knee), cornerback Caelen Carson (hamstring), wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee), running back Phil Mafah (shoulder), defensive end Payton Turner (ribs), wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (shoulder), running back Javonte Williams (neck), defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (neck) and safety Donovan Wilson (hip) as limited. Quinnen Williams missed Sunday’s game with his injury, and Flournoy left the game early with his.
Cornerback Shavon Revel (knee), offensive guard T.J. Bass (thumb) and offensive tackle Nate Thomas (shoulder) were full participants.
The Commanders announced a handful of roster moves on Monday afternoon, including the addition of two players who were recently waived by other clubs.
Wide receiver Jamal Agnew and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle have joined the club. Defensive lineman Eddie Goldman and wide receiver Jaylin Lane were placed on injured reserve in corresponding moves.
Agnew played in 11 games for the Falcons this season. He averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 26.1 yards per kickoff return in Atlanta. Lane, who was a fourth-round pick this year, had a pair of punt return touchdowns.
Tuttle had 11 tackles in 10 games for the Titans. Goldman had 26 tackles in 13 games before his injury.
The Commanders are getting thin at quarterback, so they’re bringing back Jeff Driskel for the final two weeks of the season.
Washington is signing Driskel off Arizona’s practice squad, according to reporter Ben Standig.
Driskel was also with the Commanders last season and has spent time with the Cardinals, Raiders, Browns, Texans, Broncos, Lions, Bengals and 49ers in his 10-year NFL career.
The Commanders have already shut down starting quarterback Jayden Daniels for the season, and on Sunday Daniels’ replacement, Marcus Mariota, suffered a hand injury. Josh Johnson would appear to be the likely starter for the Commanders on Christmas against the Cowboys.
Things got heated late in Sunday’s game between the Eagles and Commanders when the Eagles opted to go for two after a touchdown put them up 27-10 with less than five minutes to play.
It started with pushing and shoving after the Eagles converted the try and led to punches being thrown by players on both sides. Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin were ejected along with Eagles guard Tyler Steen.
After the game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said at his press conference that he did not think scoring one more point was “running up the score” and that he thought the math of defending a 19-point lead “was a little bit better” that trying to defend an 18-point one. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn seemed to have a different idea about whether the Eagles were going too far.
“Yeah, I can only answer from my side, what I would do,” Quinn said in his press conference. “If that’s how they want to get down, all good. We play them again in two weeks.”
That Week 18 game could matter to the Eagles for seeding purposes, but they’re unlikely to play many regulars if it doesn’t and the injury-riddled Commanders may also be filling the lineup with unfamiliar names so we’ll see how much carryover there is beyond the eternal bad blood between the two sides.
