Injuries happen every season, but you certainly cringe when your second quarterback goes down.
That’s the situation for the Commanders as Dan Quinn announced backup quarterback Marcus Mariota won’t be playing Saturday against the Dolphins.
Mariota apparently has an injured groin, and the coaches aren’t comfortable asking him to play in Saturday’s second preseason game. Rather than risking further injury, Quinn has determined it best to rest Mariota on Saturday, keeping him out of the action and preventing him from further injury.
QB Sam Hartman (shoulder) was injured last week vs. the Jets and is also unable to play against the Dolphins. Quinn has yet to make clear how much starter Jayden Daniels will play. But Mariota’s injury most likely means Jeff Driskel will see the most action, with Trace McSorley finishing the game.
The former Oregon Duck quarterback spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans (2015-19), before moving westward to the Raiders (2020-21), Falcons (2022) and Eagles (2023).
Quinn has praised Mariota for his attitude and approach to this season. There had been some friction in Atlanta, with Mariota not finishing the season well with the Falcons (2022).
HC Dan Quinn talks about Marcus Mariota’s leadership. pic.twitter.com/oLcXo6ISMe
— MarcusTheMightyCommander🎃 (@amaradventures) July 26, 2024
However, two seasons later, Mariota, according to Quinn has accepted his role as a supportive, veteran leader of the team in general, and the quarterback room and Jayden Daniels in particular.
Like Daniels, Mariota was drafted second overall in the NFL Draft (2015). Consequently, he understands the pressure of being the franchise quarterback, expected to rescue the team from the depths of the NFL. Therefore, Mariota could be a huge help psychologically, encouraging and mentoring Daniels.