The Washington Commanders got a lot out of Friday night’s 20-7 preseason win over the Miami Dolphins, but the biggest question coming out of Northwest Stadium had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
It was Marcus Mariota.
Washington’s backup quarterback started the game with Jayden Daniels among the 26 players held out, and his night ended after just four plays because of an apparent leg injury. Mariota connected on a 22-yard pass to Dyami Brown, then went down on the next snap while handling a handoff to Kaytron Allen and eventually exited for further evaluation.
He took a solid shot on the throw to Brown, stayed in for the following play, then appeared to grab at his knee after the handoff. He was able to walk off under his own power.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn didn’t have an update after the game. "I don't. I know we're connecting on Sunday, so I'll give an update on Marcus and some of the other guys that we've talked about who couldn't be back."
Mariota’s situation matters because of where he sits on the depth chart. He’s Washington’s clear No. 2 behind Daniels, with developmental quarterbacks behind him who aren’t ready to step in if needed.
In other words, the team can absorb a preseason result. It can’t afford to lose the guy who is the next man up if something happens to Daniels.
Once Mariota was out, Sam Hartman got on the field earlier than expected, and he and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis handled the quarterback work the rest of the way. That underscored just how quickly an NFL quarterback room can get thin.
There was plenty else for Washington to take from the night, starting with a defense that looked very different from the one that rolled through Wednesday’s joint practice against Miami. The Dolphins opened with a 93-yard touchdown drive in 14 plays, and Washington’s defense was playing without most of its established contributors while Miami came out with many of its starters, including Malik Willis and De’Von Achane.
After that first drive, though, Miami didn’t score again despite getting seven more possessions. Washington forced three turnovers and kept handing its offense shorter fields, a direct nod to one of Daronte Jones’ camp goals: create takeaways and make teams pay when the chance is there.
For Washington, that was the encouraging part. Mariota’s health was the part that mattered most.
In Other News...
Dolphins Graphic Just Sparked A Jayden Daniels Debate Before Kickoff
A preseason graphic is usually the sort of thing that disappears into the timeline, but the Miami Dolphins managed to stir up a little extra noise before kickoff by featuring rookie running back Jaylen Wright in No. 5. For Washington fans, that number immediately lands differently because it belongs to Jayden Daniels, and the image arrived just as his jersey situation has been under a microscope thanks to LSU reassigning No. 5 after his departure.
Miami has not said the graphic was aimed at Daniels, and there is no confirmation it was meant as anything more than a standard game-day post. Still, the timing was enough to get fans talking about whether it was a subtle jab or just an awkward coincidence, which is the kind of preseason subplot that can take on a life of its own when a star quarterback is already in the middle of a number-related controversy. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face An Early Defensive Problem With Dorance Armstrong Out
The NFL handed down four suspensions this week, and the one that matters most in Washington is Dorance Armstrongs. The Commanders defensive end, expected to be part of the edge-rushing mix, will be unavailable when the regular season opens after the league announced a one-game suspension tied to personal conduct violations.
For a team trying to settle its defensive rotation early, losing Armstrong even briefly creates another adjustment on the front line. The league did not publicly detail the underlying conduct, leaving Washington to manage the absence without much clarity beyond the ruling itself, and the timing only adds to the pressure of getting the defense organized before the first game counts. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Cornerback Question Now Centers On A Familiar Name
The Commanders spent the offseason adding Stefon Diggs, but the more immediate concern now sits on the other side of the ball, where cornerback depth remains a question heading into training camp. With Washington looking for veteran help in the secondary, a familiar name has surfaced in the conversation and gives the team a potential link to one of its biggest new arrivals.
Trevon Diggs is available as a free agent, and his track record makes him an obvious fit to at least consider if Washington wants to shore up the room before camp opens. The connection to Stefon would make the fit even more interesting, but for the Commanders the real appeal is simpler: a proven cornerback who could help stabilize a position group that still needs reinforcements. [Read more 🡒]