Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Monday, October 5, that Jayden Daniels will take part fully in practice this week so he can be under center when the Giants visit on Sunday, a day after backup Marcus Mariota sprained the MCL in his right knee in London.
The timing leaves Washington leaning on its starter’s recovery. Daniels has not played since dislocating his left elbow against Dallas in Week 2, and Mariota, who started the last two games in his place, now has no set date to return. Behind them is a seventh-round rookie with one game of NFL experience.
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn speaks to the media https://t.co/snplOra6lI
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 5, 2026
How Mariota got hurt
Mariota went down on Washington’s second possession of Sunday’s 30–13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was sacked on third-and-goal and his right knee bent under him, and he did not come back. He had completed three of four passes for 46 yards and broken off a 35-yard run before leaving.
It is the second time this year he has sprained that ligament; the first came in the August 14 preseason game against Miami. Quinn did not give a recovery estimate after Monday’s scans.
Jeremy Fowler reported the diagnosis before Quinn spoke, and it matched what the coach later confirmed.
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota suffered an MCL sprain Sunday in London, per source. This is his second MCL sprain, the first coming in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/GHYVOTApqP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 5, 2026
Daniels’ path back
Daniels returned to practice last week in London wearing a brace on his left, non-throwing arm, and was listed as limited each day before being ruled out for the Colts game. Specialists advised him that surgery was not necessary, and Washington did not place him on injured reserve. A full week of work would be the clearest sign yet that his elbow can handle every part of the job, from taking snaps to absorbing hits.
If he cannot go, the job falls to Athan Kaliakmanis, a 23-year-old rookie drafted in the seventh round out of Rutgers. In relief on Sunday he completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards with one interception, and his 47-yard touchdown to Treylon Burks early in the third quarter was Washington’s only trip to the end zone. Those numbers explain why the Commanders’ week hinges on Daniels’ elbow, and why the club may look for another veteran arm while Mariota recovers.
A growing injury list
The quarterback problem is one of several for a team that has lost three of its first four games. Returner Jaylin Lane suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle in London and is out for the season, and receiver Terry McLaurin sat out Sunday with a hamstring injury. Quinn also expressed hope of getting two starters back this week: Sam Cosmi at right guard and Nick Cross at safety.
Mariota had given Washington a lift while Daniels was out, throwing three touchdown passes in a 33–31 win over Seattle in Week 3. That remains the Commanders’ only victory of the season.
What comes next
The Commanders (1–3) host the New York Giants (3–1) on Sunday, October 11, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Washington’s first injury report of the week, due Wednesday, will show whether Daniels is a full participant. Follow every status change on the WhyNFL injury report.
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