The Washington Commanders have made their quarterback decision following Jayden Daniels' latest injury: Marcus Mariota is expected to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced Monday.
Daniels undergoes imaging after dislocating left elbow
Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, league and team reporting shows. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the elbow was dislocated and said X-rays showed no fracture, and NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Daniels underwent imaging Monday and will consult with multiple specialists over the next several days as the club evaluates next steps.
The play that produced the injury occurred as Daniels stumbled and reached his left arm to brace his fall; the arm bent backward, resulting in a repeat dislocation of the same elbow he injured during the 2025 season, the reports state. The team is continuing its medical review before determining a timetable or treatment plan.
Mariota to take the reins vs. Seattle
With Daniels being evaluated, the Commanders turned to Marcus Mariota as the starter for Week 3. ESPN's Adam Schefter posted on X that Mariota will get the start while Washington gathers more information about Daniels' dislocated left elbow.
Mariota relieved the starter at halftime of Sunday's game and completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in relief, per game reports. The club's early decision to hand Mariota the Week 3 start underscores the immediate nature of the injury evaluation as Washington continues to gather information on Jayden Daniels' dislocated left elbow, and Mariota is preparing to lead the offense against a difficult Seattle team.
The matchup will not be easy: Seattle enters the weekend on a 12-game winning run dating back to last season, a streak the Commanders will look to snap with Mariota under center, CBS Sports noted.
Mariota arrives in Washington with a notable NFL resume. A former No. 2 overall pick, he led the Tennessee Titans to a playoff win in 2017 and has been both starter and backup across multiple stops, according to reporting on his career. The team will lean on his experience while the staff finalizes its assessment of Daniels' elbow.
There has been speculation within coverage that Mariota's assignment could extend beyond a single game, though that remains unconfirmed; some commentators suggested the move could become more than a one-game arrangement as the Commanders continue their medical evaluations.
For now, Mariota will prepare to lead Washington's offense against a Seattle team that has carried momentum into this season, while Daniels and the Commanders complete the diagnostic process to determine the appropriate course for his dislocated left elbow.
