Commanders make Marcus Mariota decision after Jayden Daniels injury

Daniels was injured during the Commanders' final snap of the second quarter during Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Mariota took over after halftime and completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Marcus Mariota gets his chance for the Commanders

There is still no recovery timeline for Daniels. The quarterback plans to consult with some experts over the next few days before deciding on a treatment plan, leaving Washington waiting for much-needed information. So, Mariota's performance Sunday gives the Commanders a starting point while they figure out the whole Daniels situation.

There is also reason to believe this could become more than a one-game assignment. The same elbow injury sidelined Daniels for seven of Washington's final eight games during the 2025 season. Thankfully, that doesn't mean Daniels will miss the same amount of time this year, of course, but Washington has already seen how long this kind of injury can keep its beloved quarterback off the field.

For now, Mariota is preparing to lead the offense against a difficult Seattle team while Daniels focuses on determining the next step for his elbow.