Commanders To Start QB Marcus Mariota In Week 4

Head coach Dan Quinn announced on Friday that Mariota will start against the Colts in London. Jayden Daniels traveled with the team this week, allowing him to practice and leaving the door open to a return after just one missed contest. Instead, he will remain sidelined for Week 4 as expected.

Daniels is recovering from a dislocated elbow for the second year in a row. Just like last season, he will not undergo surgery (at least during the campaign). That means the former No. 2 pick could be back in the fold relatively soon. Washington will go at least one more game with Mariota temporarily atop the QB depth chart, however. After Sunday’s London contest, the team will play two more games prior to the bye week.

Daniels will not dress as the Commanders’ emergency No. 3 quarterback, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic notes. That means Washington will again have Mariota and seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis available under center. With Daniels not facing a lengthy recovery timetable, the Commanders are not in line to add a veteran signal-caller.

In other injury news, Quinn added (via ESPN’s John Keim) that linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo will both suit up against Indianapolis. Each of those two played in Week 1 but have been absent since then. Washington is set to receive a notable boost on both sides of the ball with Luvu and Okonkwo back in the fold. The team’s quarterback situation will remain unchanged as a bid to improve to 2-2 is made, though.