In his second week loss to the Packers, the commander starting QB Jayden Daniels suffered a knee sprain. The 2024 offensive Rookie of the Year missed Washington’s third game vs. Raiders.
Daniels has been restricted all week due to a knee injury. NFL insider Ian Rapoport hopes Marcus Mariota will start in week four, with the exception of a major event. Washington is taking Daniels’ long-term approach. They don’t want to risk further injuries and have a capable backup QB at Mariota. It starts for his commander for the second week in a row.
Marcus Mariota is set to start again for Washington in week 4
From TNF NightCap @nflonprime: Latest #commanders QB Jayden Daniels, #49ers QB Brock Purdy, and Methods #CowBoys I’m preparing to welcome you #packers LB MikaPerssons. pic.twitter.com/c0q2ek1gaa
– Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet) September 26, 2025
Throughout the first three games of 2025, the commander is 2-1. They are 41-24 wins in week three and the Raiders. Washington backup Marcus Mariota started after Jaden Daniels suffered a knee injury. He had 15-27 passes for 207 yards and one passing touchdown. Mariota added six carries for 40 yards and one touchdown. This was his first start in 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.
In the fourth week, the commander is on his way to Atlanta. Another revenge game where Marcus Mariota is expected to get off to the start. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Jayden Daniels has limited practice all week. All signs point to Daniels sitting again in week 4. While the second-year pro wants to be on the field, Washington is holding him back for his own interests.
“This means a lot to me.”
Emotional Marcus Mariota about his football journey ❤️ (via) @nflonfox)) pic.twitter.com/qwjjwsntot
– nfl (@nfl) September 21, 2025
Plus, Marcus Mariota is more than a capable backup. If Washington struggles badly in the third week, you might consider starting Daniels. But that wasn’t the case with the Raiders. Washington has a 34-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Marcus Mariota will once again be centered for the Commander in the fourth week. The team is on their way to play Falcon.
Before the start of the third week, it was Atlanta that Mariota started with the final team. He was the starter of the first 13 games of the 2022 season. Eventually, Mariota was benched for Rookie QB Desmond’s Ridder. The 31-year-old has spent the past two seasons in Washington, appearing in a total of four games. This includes his start in the third week. Washington is having a tougher matchup in week five, as he is on the path to facing chargers. The team wants to reclaim Jaden Daniels for that game.
