The Washington Commanders’ quarterback plan shifted again entering Christmas week after consecutive injury setbacks. The team shut down Jayden Daniels for the final four games following an aggravation of a previously dislocated left elbow, ending an injury‑plagued second season that included multiple early exits.
Latest Injury Update On Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota
In Saturday’s 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Marcus Mariota, who had replaced Daniels, suffered a quad injury and required stitches in his throwing hand, prompting further changes at the position. Head coach Dan Quinn moved quickly to stabilize the depth chart for the holiday home game against the Dallas Cowboys, confirming a veteran starter and signing reinforcements behind him.
The Commanders (4-11) have lost nine of their last 10 games and are out of postseason contention; the Cowboys (6-8-1) are also eliminated. With long‑term health prioritized for Daniels and short‑term management for Mariota, Washington will rely on experience under center while making additional roster moves for game day.
Daniels was shut down for the last four games after aggravating a dislocated left elbow, ending his season after seven starts in which he left three early due to injuries. The decision removes the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year from contact and live reps this month, allowing recovery without risk of setback.
Mariota’s status changed after the Eagles game: he suffered a quad injury. He received stitches in his throwing hand, which led the club to pivot at quarterback for Week 16. In parallel, Washington addressed broader late‑season injuries. It made roster updates, placing starting right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion) and rookie punt returner Jaylin Lane (ankle) on injured reserve.
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To backfill the quarterback room, Washington signed Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals’ practice squad as QB2 and is expected to add Sam Hartman from its own practice squad as the emergency third quarterback. It will align with league gameday rules and ensure depth behind the new starter.
Who Starts As QB1 For Commanders In Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota’s Absence
Head coach Dan Quinn announced that 39‑year‑old Josh Johnson will start on Christmas Day against the Cowboys. Johnson, the NFL record holder for most franchises played for (14), will make his 10th career start and first since 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens.
He replaced Mariota late versus the Eagles and completed five of nine passes for 43 yards with an interception. Over 48 NFL appearances, Johnson has nine starts with a 1-8 record; he has completed 213 of 367 passes (58.0%) for 2,340 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions, and rushed 83 times for 426 yards (5.1 ypc) with one touchdown.
Washington concurrently signed Jeff Driskel to serve as Johnson’s backup and plans for Hartman as the emergency QB3, finalizing the gameday quarterback room. Quinn’s Wednesday update clarified the team’s approach as both clubs enter the matchup, with the teams eliminated from playoff contention, emphasizing operational continuity and health management for the position group in the season’s final stretch.
