![Odell Beckham Jr. comments on Giants release: 'Gave me the run [along]'](https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/cardpress/binge-magazine-card-generation/spaces/US/en/usa-today/images/ppid_d244764d-image-179113667589880448.webp)
Jayden Daniels was formally ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, yet they felt good about their quarterback situation.
That was due to veteran backup, Marcus Mariota, a proven commodity capable of winning games at this level. We saw proof of that last week, when he was darn near perfect in a Week 3 victory over the Seahawks.
He validated that point over the first few drives, until he went down awkwardly during a quarterback sack.
Mariota went into the blue medical tent and then into the locker room and did not return to the game. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis entered the game and ended up playing out what became a 30-13 loss to the Colts.
After the game, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that Mariota suffered an MCL injury, and would be evaluated, with additional imaging, once the team returned to the DMV.
“I’m just gutted for him,” Quinn told on-site reporters in his postgame press conference. “…The team thinks it’s an MCL injury and he’ll have scans tomorrow (Monday) and we’ll have further knowledge with the length (of absence) and all those things.”
Mariota missed a few weeks when he injured his MCL in the same knee during the preseason, so it’s probably fair to expect the veteran to miss some weeks (at least) in this case.
Quinn said that Daniels expects to be a full participant in practice leading into a Week 5 contest against the New York Giants, creating the belief that he’ll be able to return for that contest.
If Mariota will miss some weeks, as expected, the Commanders still have some depth issues at quarterback. Kaliakmanis was 15-for-33 passing for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception despite taking few reps during the practice week.
Does that influence whether the Commanders add another quarterback to the roster? Mariota’s prognosis will impact that, but it seems likely they’ll add someone should Mariota miss some time. The Commanders have Sam Hartman on the practice squad, and it will be interesting to see if they consider him a viable option.
Should the Commanders sign another quarterback? Let us know in the comments below:
