The Washington Commanders have made a significant roster move by placing veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on injured reserve just before their Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Mariota is struggling with a strained pectoral muscle, which will sideline him for the immediate future. This injury has led to a major shift in the Commanders’ quarterback depth chart, as Mariota was initially expected to serve as the primary backup to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy during his college career, was slated to provide experienced support and leadership behind Daniels. His extensive NFL experience, which includes 74 career starts and 93 touchdown passes against 55 interceptions, made him a valuable asset for the team. Despite his limited action as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Mariota’s presence was seen as a stabilizing force for the Commanders’ quarterback room.
In Mariota’s absence, the Commanders will rely on journeyman Jeff Driskel to step into the backup role. Driskel, known for his versatility and experience across several teams, will now serve as the No. 2 quarterback. Additionally, the team has called up rookie Sam Hartman to add depth to the position. Hartman’s addition to the roster will provide further support, although he is less experienced compared to both Mariota and Driskel.
Despite the setback, the Commanders are maintaining a positive outlook. Head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the value Mariota brought to the team beyond his on-field performance. Quinn emphasized the importance of having a veteran like Mariota available to mentor Daniels. “In a perfect scenario,” Quinn said, “a young quarterback would have a leader to also learn from, but perfect rarely happens. But we do have that in Marcus Mariota. Him sharing nine years of gold with Jayden, I think, has been something that’s really cool for us to see. Rookie quarterbacks usually don’t get that, and we do.”
Mariota’s role as a mentor, despite his injury, underscores the critical role experienced players can play in the development of younger teammates. The Commanders will need to adapt to this unexpected change, but the leadership and guidance Mariota has provided will continue to benefit Daniels and the team as they head into their season opener.
