Marcus Mariota to Start as Commanders Face Raiders Amid Daniels’ Injury

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marcus Mariota is set to start for the Washington Commanders against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, following the injury of starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels, who has been dealing with a knee sprain, did not practice on Friday, confirming Mariota’s starting position for the Week 3 matchup.

Jayden Daniels suffered a sprained knee during the Commanders’ 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Despite having had an MRI, Coach Dan Quinn had previously described Daniels’ condition as ‘day-to-day.’ In a news conference on Monday, Quinn stated, ‘He is truly day-to-day. What does that mean for Sunday? I can’t tell you that now.’

As of Friday, with Daniels sidelined, Mariota will take the reins. After being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota hasn’t started since playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. He has appeared in three games for Washington, completing an impressive 77.3% of his passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns without any interceptions last season.

Quinn mentioned the importance of Daniels participating in practice to determine his availability for Sunday. ‘He had a good rehab day but will not practice today. I’ll give you an assessment after Friday’s practice,’ Quinn said.

This season, Daniels has made a strong impact, throwing for 433 yards and three touchdowns in his first two starts, contributing to Washington’s promising start with a win over the New York Giants. He also earned accolades as the Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the team to the playoffs last season.

Despite his accomplishments, Daniels now faces a race against time to recover from the knee injury before the game. The Commanders must prepare for Sunday with Mariota and backup quarterback, who is on standby. As the matchup approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating who will lead the team on the field.

Injuries have plagued the team, with notable players, including running back and defensive end, also facing serious issues this season. With Daniels struggling to return, Mariota’s experience could become crucial in maintaining the team’s competitive edge against the Raiders.