Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota played just four snaps during Friday’s preseason opener versus Miami.
The veteran didn’t get a quick hook. He got hurt on the first offensive drive.
Mariota suffered a presumptive knee injury in Washington’s 20-7 victory over the Dolphins at Northwest Stadium.
That assumption was confirmed in a Sunday reported from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who stated that he sprained the MCL ligament in his knee and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason.
All things considered, that’s a positive outcome for the Commanders. They’ll get their No. 2 quarterback back before games that count.
Mariota got hit hard on an explosive, 22-yard pass completed to Dyami Brown, and came up lame after a handoff on the next play.
Mariota was treated on the field and eventually in the blue medical tent before eventually leaving for the locker room with a trainer.
Mariota walked off the field without a clear limp or support from another person. He obviously did not return to a game that didn’t count, especially with his immense value backing up starter Jayden Daniels.
Mariota has been called into action 14 times under Daniels, including 11 games and eight starts in 2025.
The Commanders have Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis behind them on the depth chart, but neither player is ready to be a primary backup.
