Washington Commanders Face Christmas Day Quarterback Crisis After Mariota Injury

The Washington Commanders are scrambling for a quarterback for their Week 17 game. Starter Jayden Daniels is out for the season. Backup Marcus Mariota suffered a hand injury in Week 16, creating a major roster dilemma.

Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the situation this week. The team will not risk playing the injured Daniels under any circumstances. This leaves the Commanders with limited and unproven options for their Christmas Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Exploring Desperate Measures for a Lost Season

Dan Quinn outlined the immediate possibilities. The primary options are veteran Josh Johnson and practice squad passer Sam Hartman. Johnson, 39, replaced Mariota last week but offers little long-term value.

According to Quinn, all options are being discussed with General Manager Adam Peters. The team is even considering signing a quarterback from outside the organization. This is a stark sign of desperation for a team now eliminated from playoff contention.

The Commanders’ season is effectively over. Their Christmas game is now about pride and evaluation. Playing Johnson provides a known, but aging, commodity. Promoting Hartman offers a look at a younger player but comes with significant risk.

A Franchise Decision With Future Implications

This late-season crisis forces the front office to make a philosophical choice. Do they use the final game to assess a depth piece like Hartman? Or do they simply try to field the most competitive lineup possible with Johnson?

The decision will be closely watched by fans and analysts. It may reveal how the organization views its quarterback depth chart moving forward. A poor performance could influence offseason strategy regarding the backup position behind Jayden Daniels.

The Washington Commanders’ sudden quarterback crisis underscores the fragility of an NFL season. Their Christmas Day choice will be a telling final chapter in a disappointing year.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: Is Jayden Daniels playing against the Cowboys?

No, he is not. Head coach Dan Quinn stated definitively that the team will not consider playing Jayden Daniels. The starting quarterback is out for the remainder of the regular season due to an elbow injury.

Q2: Who will start at quarterback for Washington?

The top two candidates are Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman. Johnson is the veteran who finished the Week 16 game. Hartman is currently on the practice squad. The team may also sign a new quarterback.

Q3: What happened to Marcus Mariota?

Marcus Mariota suffered a hand injury during the Commanders’ Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The injury occurred while he was playing in relief of the injured starter, Jayden Daniels.

Q4: Why is this game important for the Commanders?

With playoff hopes gone, the game is now about team pride and evaluating personnel. The decision at quarterback could provide clues about how the team views its roster needs for the next season.

Q5: When is the Commanders vs. Cowboys game?

The Washington Commanders will face the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, December 25th. The game is part of the NFL’s Week 17 schedule.