The Washington Commanders got their preseason off to the best possible start with a comfortable win over the Miami Dolphins. But it also came with a new injury concern.
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota started the game but wasn't on the field for long. The signal-caller took a sack and left the game shortly after that. Head coach Dan Quinn didn't have any information about the issue following the contest, but he expects things to look a little clearer in the coming days.
The Commanders were dealt some troubling injury problems last season. There was much more behind their demise than that, but they cannot afford the same to happen again this time around.
Commanders will be hoping for positive injury news with Marcus Mariota
Mariota is an experienced understudy. He wasn't expected to see the field much with Jayden Daniels back, but given the nagging problems Washington's franchise player dealt with last season, the Commanders need a capable backup who can slot in at a moment's notice.
Obviously, there are unknowns. It was a non-contact injury, which always raises concern. But if Mariota is forced to miss time, general manager Adam Peters needs to think on his feet.
Washington drafted Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round, who performed well against the Dolphins. Asking him to be the No. 2 right now might be a stretch, but it's something the Commanders have in mind for the signal-caller eventually.
And this is the NFL, where it's always next man up.
As for third-year quarterback Sam Hartman? He is nowhere near the required standard, and a place on the practice squad is the best he can hope for.
Hopefully, the news will be positive around Mariota. While there are limitations at this stage of his career, he's dependable enough. Losing him would take Washington's contingency plan away if Daniels gets hurt.
Aside from Mariota's scare, it was a pretty solid evening at the office. The Dolphins are a bad football team, but the Commanders showed flashes of what they could be capable of once the starters get into the mix.
Now, it's an anxious wait for Mariota before his prognosis is confirmed.
He managed to walk off the field unaided, and there are still a few weeks before Washington's regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. But the Commanders need another option ready to go in case his absence proves long-term.
This won't have anything like the same impact on Washington's hopes as the devastating blow to left tackle Laremy Tunsil. But the Commanders will still be hoping for positive news with Mariota, who remains one of the league's most respected backup options under center.
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