The Washington Commanders’ quarterback picture for Week 3 remains in question on Wednesday as head coach Dan Quinn updated reporters on star QB Jayden Daniels. The second-year quarterback and former No. 2 overall pick remains day-to-day with a knee sprain, while veteran Marcus Mariota is preparing to start if needed, and a podium appearance may just signal whats ahead.
NBC4 Washington and 106.7 The Fan’s JP Finlay quoted Quinn as saying, “We’re going to be smart and not just fast…This is a player that wants to do absolutely everything all the time.”
Daniels Held Out of Practice
Daniels suffered the injury during Washington’s 27–18 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. He came up limping after a hit, and although he remained in the game, he clearly appeared in discomfort. Quinn later confirmed an MRI showed a sprain, not a structural tear.
On Tuesday, John Keim of ESPN reported, “Dan Quinn said QB Jayden Daniels will not practice today. Said he threw on the field today and had a good rehab session, and he will know more Friday about his status for Sunday.”
“We’re going to be smart, not just fast,’ Quinn said. He called it a good start to the week for him.”
The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala added that, “Quinn said Daniels would need to get practice time with the rest of the team this week before they would feel comfortable clearing him for Sunday’s game.”
The first injury report listed Daniels as a non-participant. Kevin Sheehan of The Team 980 wrote, “Jayden not practicing today per Quinn. He also said that he’d need him to practice this week to play. More on Friday. #Commanders.”
Mariota on Standby
If Daniels cannot go, Mariota will step in to fill the shoes. The 31-year-old has been with Washington since 2024 and started the Commanders’ Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys last season. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown in that game, giving him valuable live reps with the offense heading into this year where he had proven himself to be a more than capable backup option
Commanders senior reporter Zach Selby relayed Quinn’s praise: “Quinn said Marcus Mariota has been a real standard as a Commander. Expect him to perform if called upon for Sunday’s game.”
Mariota has appeared in 95 NFL games with 75 starts across his career, previously leading offenses in Tennessee, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. His mobility gives coordinator Kliff Kingsbury flexibility to maintain elements of the playbook designed for Daniels’ dual-threat style.
Looking Ahead
Washington sits at 1-1 heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Quinn has made it clear that Daniels must practice with the team this week to be cleared. The Commanders expect to have a better picture by Friday, when Quinn said he’ll reassess the quarterback’s progress.
Until then, Daniels remains the team’s priority, but Mariota is preparing as if he will start. The Commanders have been consistent: they will not rush Daniels back, and Tuesday’s updates suggest Mariota may be under center in Week 3 if the second-year quarterback is not fully ready to go.
Mariota to the Podium Raises Questions About Week 3 Starter