The Washington Commanders have confirmed Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback in their Week 4 NFL game in London against the Indianapolis Colts, after Jayden Daniels was ruled out with an elbow injury. Head coach Dan Quinn announced the decision on Friday, ending any uncertainty over the starting quarterback for the international fixture.
Daniels traveled with the team to London and took part in limited practice this week despite suffering a dislocated elbow in his non-throwing arm during Week 2. This injury affects the same elbow Daniels dislocated and reinjured last season. The Commanders had originally hoped he might avoid a lengthy absence since they chose not to place him on injured reserve, which would have mandated a minimum four-game sidelining.
General manager Adam Peters clarified last week that surgery was not being considered. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that medical experts expected Daniels to return within three weeks or possibly sooner. Instead of surgery, Daniels will wear an elbow brace to prevent further dislocation. The quarterback himself expressed confidence in this approach during a Thursday interview, stating, “That's what the brace is for. If I had that concern, I would have gotten surgery.”
Washington enters the game with a 1-2 record following an upset victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week. The team seeks to build momentum with upcoming matchups against the Colts and the New York Giants before facing tougher opponents such as the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams in Weeks 6 through 9. While the Commanders hope to have Daniels back soon, Quinn emphasized earlier in the week, “We won't put him out there before he's ready.”
Mariota performed efficiently in Week 3 against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and threw three touchdowns without any interceptions. This clean performance earned him another starting opportunity against a Colts defense that has conceded the fifth-most passing yards (828) and holds the fifth-highest passer rating allowed (110.4) so far this season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Mariota, a veteran with experience starting in the NFL, now faces the challenge of maintaining offensive consistency for the Commanders on foreign soil. The London game adds another layer of complexity with travel and unfamiliar conditions, but the team’s recent success may provide some confidence. Meanwhile, Daniels’ recovery and the team's cautious approach to his return will remain a focus in the coming weeks as they balance short-term needs with long-term health.
The Commanders announced the starting quarterback decision two days before the game, allowing Mariota to prepare fully for the role. The team will hope his performance against the Colts continues to build on the positive signs from last week and helps stabilize their offense as they navigate a demanding schedule ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.
