The Commanders are preparing to hand the offense to Marcus Mariota after Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow, and Washington coach Dan Quinn made it clear the team is leaning on Mariota’s grasp of the system and his standing in the locker room.
“The nice part about Marcus is, man, does he have a real command on things that we need,” Quinn said, via the team’s site.
Quinn said Mariota’s influence goes beyond the huddle, calling him someone teammates naturally follow.
“There’s nobody easier to rally around than him,” Quinn said. “When you ask anybody on our team who some of our greatest leaders are, whether it’s on or off the field, Marcus is somebody that constantly comes up.”
That message was echoed by Terry McLaurin, who described Mariota as someone who has helped Daniels along the way.
“Marcus is a complete pro,” McLaurin said. “He’s been that way since he’s been here.
That’s why he’s one of the leaders we look to, even when he’s not the starter. He supported Jayden, helping him to continue to grow as a pro.”
Quinn also gave an update on Daniels, saying the quarterback will not go on injured reserve and is considered week to week.
“Jayden won’t be placed on IR and is week to week, and that’s great news.” (Siciliano)
Elsewhere on Washington’s injury front, GM Adam Peters said RG Sam Cosmi (concussion), TE Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) and LB Frankie Luvu are long shots for Week 3. Peters also said DT Javon Kinlaw (shoulder/back) is in a much better spot, with the team waiting to see how his body responds to Friday’s practice. Quinn added that he had no update on when CB Trey Amos might come back from injured reserve.
In Dallas, owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are sticking with the original four-week outlook for G Tyler Smith, who remains on injured reserve with a thumb injury.
“Well, we should stay on the prognosis of the four weeks,” Jones said, via Tommy Yarish of the team’s site. “He’s doing very well, he would be very well.
He’s very smart and very conscientious. So he’s doing well.”
Jones also liked what he saw from the team’s rookies in Week 2, pointing to players such as S Caleb Downs, OLB Malachi Lawrence and LB Jaishawn Barham as encouraging signs.
“It’s certainly really good for the future,” Jones said. “What future?
Next game? Rio?
Where? All those questions come to mind, it’s good, period, for them to be playing better.
Secondly, they’re going to need to play better because they’re the ones that are going to be out there, that’s the plan, in the long haul, we think is the way to get us there this year.”
Jones also sized up the Cowboys’ upcoming trip to face Baltimore in Brazil and didn’t sugarcoat it.
“That’s a bad matchup. We got our work cut out for us.
It’s a rough one. … We’ll be ready for them, but they’re a handful.”
Over in New York, Giants coach John Harbaugh said Sunday would be the ideal time to work in Odell Beckham.
“That’s a great question. I would think Sunday would be great.
I would be all for it for Sunday. That would be the perfect time in my mind.
So I hope that happens this Sunday.” (Leonard)
Per Josina Anderson, the Giants had not shown interest in Cowboys QB Joe Milton as of Thursday afternoon.
And Malik Nabers said he got good results on his shoulder X-ray, according to Ryan Dunleavy.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Terry McLaurin Problem They Cant Ignore
Terry McLaurins opening to the 2026 season has been quieter than anyone in Washington expected, with the veteran wideout managing only four catches for 64 yards through two games. The early numbers are jarring, especially for a receiver who has long been one of the Commanders most dependable weapons, but McLaurin has brushed off the slow start and said he trusts his process.
The concern for Washington is that the quarterback situation only makes the margin for error smaller. Jayden Daniels is dealing with a dislocated left elbow, and while McLaurin has experience working with backup Marcus Mariota, the Commanders still need their top target to find a rhythm quickly if the passing game is going to hold together through a shaky stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Just Put Washington In A Tough Spot
Jayden Daniels left elbow injury has already changed the Commanders early-season plans, and not in a small way. After dislocating it in Week 2, the rookie quarterback will miss Week 3 and likely Week 4, leaving Washington to move forward with Marcus Mariota expected to start while the team tries to dig out of an 0-2 start.
What makes this situation harder is Daniels decision to avoid surgery and try the nonsurgical route in hopes of getting back this season. It is a choice that has prompted criticism from multiple NFL executives, who worry about the risks to his long-term health and financial future, and it leaves Washington hoping the short-term gamble does not become something more complicated as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Home Opener Brings One Real Chance To Stop This Slide
The home opener arrives with an unusual kind of urgency in Washington, where the Commanders are already staring at their first real checkpoint of the season. After losing Jayden Daniels, the offense has shifted to Marcus Mariota, and the pressure on the rest of the roster has only grown as the team looks for its first win of the year in Week 3 against Seattle.
For a defense that has talked about needing to create more disruption, this matchup offers a chance to help change the tone. The Seahawks bring their own uncertainty at quarterback because of Sam Darnolds injury, which gives Washington an opening to lean on pressure, chase turnovers and maybe finally give the home crowd something to build around. [Read more 🡒]