Jayden Daniels Out: Marcus Mariota to Start for Commanders in Week 3
The Washington Commanders won’t have superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 3 and will start veteran backup Marcus Mariota in his place against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.
MRI tests revealed Daniels suffered a PCL sprain in a 27-18 Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Mariota is in his second season as Daniels’ backup and signed a 1-year, $8 million contract on March 12 after playing on a 1-year, $6 million contract in 2024.
“Now official: Commanders HC Dan Quinn said Marcus Mariota will start Sunday versus the Raiders,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on September 19.
Mariota filled in for Daniels in 2024 after he injured his ribs in the first quarter of a 40-7 Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Mariota looked sharp that day, going 18-of-23 passing for 205 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 11 carries for 34 yards.
He also saw extended action in the regular season finale, going 15-of-19 passing for 161 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 5 carries for 56 yards and 1 touchdown in a 23-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Mariota, Daniels Have Plenty In Common
Mariota and Daniels have a lot in common aside from just how they play — starting with both being similar size. Mariota is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds while Daniels is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.
Both players were No. 2 overall picks in the NFL draft. Mariota was picked No. 2 by the Tennessee Titans in 2015 and Daniels was picked No. 2 in the 2024 NFL draft by th Commanders.
Both were rookie starting quarterbacks. Mariota went 3-9 in 2015 and Daniels went 12-5 in 2024, leading his team to the NFC Championship Game.
Both played in the Pac-12 Conference. Mariota starred at the University of Oregon. Daaniels started his career at Arizona State before he transferred to LSU for his final 2 seasons.
Both Mariota and Daniels are also part of college football’s most exclusive club — Mariota became Oregon’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 2014 and Daniels won the Heisman Trophy at LSU in 2023.
Packers' Tucker Kraft a Game-Time Decision After Knee Injury
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was not on the field Friday and is expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Matt LaFleur said.
Kraft sustained a knee injury during Thursday's practice and underwent testing to rule out a long-term issue.
"It's unfortunate, it is what it is. I don't think it will be long-term, so that's a positive. But he will not be out there today," LaFleur said.
As for Sunday's game against the Browns (0-2)?
"He has to feel comfortable and be cleared at the same time," LaFleur said of Kraft, who has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.
Kraft, 24, is listed as questionable on the injury report for the Packers (2-0).
Should he sit out on Sunday, Luke Musgrave and fellow tight end John FitzPatrick would see more snaps.
"I feel really good about that (tight end) room, so you just have to adapt and adjust," LaFleur said.
Kraft leads the team in catches (eight), receiving yards (140) and receiving touchdowns (two). He notched his first 100-yard game with six catches for 124 yards and a score in a 27-18 home win over the Washington Commanders on Sept. 11.
In his third NFL season, Kraft has compiled 89 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns in 36 regular-season games. Kraft also has 10 catches for 50 yards and one TD in three playoff games (all starts).
