Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Not available for Week 17
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Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Mariota (hand/quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.
With Mariota set to be sidelined due to the pair of injuries he sustained in last Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles, Josh Johnson will be called upon to make his first start since the 2021 season. Meanwhile, newly signed Jeff Driskel will serve as Johnson's backup, and Washington plans to sign Sam Hartman off its practice squad to serve as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback, per John Keim of ESPN.com. According to Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C., Quinn said he still has hope that Mariota will be able to return for the Commanders' Jan. 4 regular-season finale in Philadelphia, though Mariota's availability will hinge on what he's able to do in practice next week.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Absent from practice again
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Mariota (hand/quadriceps) was a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
With Mariota going down as a non-participant on the second consecutive Commanders practice report, he would appear unlikely to be available to play Thursday against the Cowboys. In preparation of a potential Mariota absence for Week 17, the Commanders signed Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals' practice squad Monday to bolster their depth at quarterback, but Josh Johnson is trending toward making his first start of the season and his first since 2021, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Johnson came on in relief of a banged-up Mariota in this past Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
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Mariota might not play in Thursday's game against Dallas since he injured his hand in Week 16 against Philadelphia. But if he plays against the Cowboys, then Mariota is worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. Only two quarterbacks this season have failed to score at least 20 Fantasy points against the Cowboys, and Mariota has scored at least 20.2 points in four of seven complete starts in place of Jayden Daniels (elbow) this season. If Mariota is out, then Josh Johnson (1 percent rostered) is worth a look in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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Mariota is banged up and hasn't been playing great, but he's facing the Cowboys, so we can't totally ignore him. They have given up a league-worst 27.6 FPPG to QBs this year. Four of the last five QBs they have faced have scored at least 27 Fantasy points and 13 out of 15 QBs have scored at least 22 points against them this year. If Mariota is healthy, he is in consideration for those teams that lost a QB last week.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Sits out walkthrough
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Mariota (hand/quad) did not participate in Monday's walkthrough.
Mariota reportedly is considered day-to-day due to injuries to his quadriceps and right throwing hand, which forced him out early during Saturday's loss to the Eagles. He'll have two more opportunities to get back on the practice field ahead of Thursday's home matchup against the Cowboys. With Jayden Daniels (elbow) already ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season, Josh Johnson will stand to start Thursday for Washington if Mariota is unavailable Week 17.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Considered day-to-day
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Mariota is considered day-to-day due to injuries to his throwing hand and quadriceps, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Mariota sustained both of the injuries during Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles, which prevented him from returning to the contest. He needed stiches on his right hand, and his practice participation over the coming days will determine whether he will be available for Christmas Day against the Cowboys. Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been shut down for the rest of the regular season, so Josh Johnson would be in line to start Thursday if Mariota is unable to play.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Departs Week 16 game with hand issue
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Mariota is questionable to return to Saturday's matchup against Philadelphia due to a right hand injury.
Mariota was also evaluated for a concussion but was cleared to continue playing. However, he may not do so if the right hand injury he's dealing with proves to be serious. Should Mariota be unable to return to action, Josh Johnson will step in to direct the Commanders' offense.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: QBs to Sit
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Mariota will remain Washington's starter for the rest of the season with Jayden Daniels (elbow) out, but I would only use Mariota in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 16 against Philadelphia. The Eagles have allowed just one quarterback in their past six outings to score more than 14.2 Fantasy points, which was Dak Prescott in Week 12, and Philadelphia has limited Jordan Love, Jared Goff, Caleb Williams and Justin Herbert over that span. Mariota scored just 16.7 Fantasy points at the Giants in Week 15, and he should struggle again in Week 16.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Will start final three games
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Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Jayden Daniels (elbow) will not start any of Washington's final three regular-season games, leaving Mariota in position as QB1, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Mariota will close out the 2025 campaign under center for the Commandeers, while Josh Johnson works as the team's No. 2 quarterback. The veteran signal-caller completed 10 of just 19 pass attempts for 211 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's divisional win over the Giants, while rushing 10 times for 43 yards. Mariota also fumbled twice versus New York, losing one. Next on deck for Mariota and Washington will be a home matchup against the Eagles on Saturday, after which the team will have a short preparation window before taking on the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football in Week 17. Mariota's last game of the season will be a Week 18 road rematch against Philadelphia.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Quiet in win over Giants
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Mariota completed 10 of 19 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-21 win over the Giants. He added 43 rushing yards on 10 carries and committed two fumbles, losing one.
The Commanders leaned heavily on their ground attack for offense and also benefitted from a punt return TD by Jaylin Lane, but Mariota did hit Terry McLaurin for a 51-yard score in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. Washington's already eliminated from the playoffs and has little reason to rush Jayden Daniels (elbow) back into the lineup, but Mariota and his 10:7 TD:INT through 10 games is still just a placeholder for the second-year QB heading into a Week 16 matchup with the Eagles.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Sleeper QBs
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Jayden Daniels (elbow) is out in Week 15 at the Giants, and Mariota is worth using as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues. He has started six games for Daniels this season and scored at least 20.2 Fantasy points in four of those outings, including Week 13 against Denver when he had 27.3 points. The Giants are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and four guys in a row have scored at least 21.2 points against New York, including Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Drake Maye. This should be another solid game for Mariota in Week 15.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Will start Week 15
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Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Mariota will start Sunday's game against the Giants and that Jayden Daniels (elbow) is ruled out.
Mariota started in place of an injured Daniels from Week 8 to Week 13, a five-game stretch in which he averaged 186.6 passing yards and 30.8 rushing yards per contest, totaling six touchdowns and four interceptions. Daniels' return to action versus the Vikings in Week 14 was brief, as he was forced out in the third quarter due to an elbow injury. Entering in relief, Mariota completed two of four passes for 30 yards and an INT versus Minnesota while also rushing twice for seven yards and losing one fumble. While Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Daniels' current elbow injury is not a long-term concern and that he's suffered no structural setbacks, it's entirely possible Washington could opt to prioritize the franchise signal-caller's health and start Mariota under center for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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As of Tuesday, we are not expecting Jayden Daniels to play in Week 15. If he doesn't, Marcus Mariota is the clear top streamer. He has topped 20 Fantasy points in two of his last three starts, has Terry McLaurin back, and still has rushing ability to boost his floor and his upside. The Giants have given up the third-most Fantasy points to opposing QBs. The last four QBs they have faced have topped 20 Fantasy points and eight QBs in a row have scored 19 or more against them.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Two turnovers in relief
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Mariota completed two of four passes for 30 yards and an interception in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings. He added seven rushing yards on two carries and also lost a fumble.
Jayden Daniels returned to action in Week 14 but didn't last long, appearing to aggravate an injury to his left elbow in the third quarter and quickly being ruled out for the rest of the contest. Mariota took over the offense the rest of the way but had no more success against the Minnesota defense than Daniels did. There's no indication yet on Daniels' status for a Week 15 tilt against the Giants, but with the Commanders at 3-10 and playing for nothing but draft slotting, it's certainly possible the organization will decide to protect its franchise QB from any further damage and hand the reins to Mariota for the remainder of the season.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Returning to backup role
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Mariota will serve as Washington's backup quarterback Sunday against the Vikings, as John Keim of ESPN.com reports that Jayden Daniels (elbow) will start.
Daniels will return for his first action since dislocating his left elbow Nov. 9. Mariota has seen extensive action due to Daniels' injury woes in 2025, as the veteran backup has appeared in eight of Washington's 12 games, including six starts. Mariota has posted a 9:6 TD:INT but picked up only one win.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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As of Tuesday, we are not expecting Jayden Daniels to return in Week 14. If he doesn't, Marcus Mariota is the clear top streamer. He has topped 20 Fantasy points in two of his last three starts, has Terry McLaurin back, and still has rushing ability to boost his floor and his upside. It is not a good matchup, so I wouldn't start him over Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow, even though I am low on those guys. I would start Mariota over Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams, and Sam Darnold. Just make sure Daniels doesn't get cleared.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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There's a chance Jayden Daniels (elbow) could play in Week 14 at Minnesota, but if he's out again then Mariota is worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. He played great in Week 13 against Denver with 27.3 Fantasy points, and he has now scored at least 20.2 points in four of six starts this season. The healthy return of Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) was a boost for the passing game, and Mariota also has at least 49 rushing yards in each of his past two starts. He's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Strong effort in tough matchup
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Mariota completed 28 of 50 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos. He added 10 rushes for 55 yards.
Mariota turned in a valiant effort in the loss, logging a career high in pass attempts while racking up his most passing yards in a game since Week 3 of the 2019 season. While he wasn't particularly efficient, Mariota delivered several splash plays, highlighted by six completions of at least 15 yards and a rush attempt that went for a gain of 19. This marked Mariota's third straight start in the absence of Jayden Daniels (elbow), and he's done an admirable job by maintaining a 5:1 TD:INT. The return of Terry McLaurin also improves Mariota's outlook in a Week 14 matchup against the Vikings, should Daniels remain sidelined.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Back-breaking INT in Madrid
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Mariota completed 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Dolphins. He added 49 rushing yards on four carries.
The veteran QB looked sharp early in the game, but his play seemed to slip after he briefly left late in the third quarter to be checked for a concussion. While he cleared the concussion check, his only turnover of the game came on Washington's first play of OT, when his pass to Zach Ertz got intercepted by Jack Jones to set up Miami's game-winning field goal. Mariota has a lackluster 7:5 TD:INT in his seven appearances this season, and with the Commanders on bye next week, there's at least a chance Jayden Daniels (elbow) could be back under center in Week 13 against the Broncos.
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Commanders' Marcus Mariota: Checks back into Sunday's game
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Mariota returned to Sunday's game against the Dolphins in Madrid in the fourth quarter after clearing an evaluation for a concussion.
Mariota was forced out of the game with 3:41 left in the third quarter after taking a hard fall to the turf on an incomplete pass. Backup Josh Johnson stepped in to play one snap before Washington punted the ball away, but after passing all concussion testing, Mariota was cleared to re-enter the game on the Commanders' first possession of the fourth quarter.
