Jayden Daniels' status for Week 3 is now clear. There wasn't much sign of the Washington Commanders' star quarterback at practice this week. He's officially been ruled out, which brings veteran backup Marcus Mariota firmly under the microscope.
The Commanders have been preparing for life without Daniels. A sprained knee is always troublesome, and the last thing Washington needs is for the No. 2 pick in 2024 to aggravate this further and be out for longer. There wasn't 100 percent conviction, so Mariota got the nod versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mariota is an experienced pro. He played well when called upon last time around, and the signal-caller resisted offers from elsewhere to stay with the Commanders this offseason. The former Oregon star wasn't planning to play all that much, but he's always ready when his number is called.
Commanders have utmost confidence in Marcus Mariota if Jayden Daniels can't go
This was a sentiment echoed by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who praised Mariota's professionalism and ability to step into the breach seamlessly. The coach noted that this is rare around the league, which is why confidence is heading into this weekend's clash at Northwest Stadium.
"Anytime he's asked to play or practice or even on scout team, he's been phenomenal. So, he treats it like a pro as a leader on the team despite not being the starter, which is hard to do and can't say enough good things about him. So, if he has to go, I'm sure he will be ready."Kliff Kingsbury via Commanders.com
Mariota doesn't have Daniels' dynamism. However, he knows how to deploy Kingsbury's scheme effectively.
Getting the football out quickly is key, especially considering rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is set to go up against four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. Washington has the playmakers to gain yards after the catch, which will allow Mariota to get into a crucial early rhythm and relieve some nerves after so long out of the lineup.
Not having Daniels changes everything. He's among the league's most explosive quarterbacks. Any team around the NFL would feel a loss of this magnitude. But that doesn't mean the Commanders are a lost cause with Mariota leading the charge.
Far from it. He's managed games well before. If Mariota gets the necessary support, and Washington's young running backs can set the tone, that should provide the platform needed to flourish.
Daniels is on a different level than most. But Mariota is widely regarded as one of the league's best backup quarterbacks for a reason. And he got the chance to remind people why, in the face of one of his old employers.