Mariota to start Week 3 as Commanders look to break 0-2 skid
Mariota starts Week 3 for 0-2 Commanders facing Seahawks.
Event / Sports
Jayden Daniels Elbow Injury
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 2 against Dallas, marking his second such injury in consecutive seasons. The injury forces the team to start 0-2 with backup Marcus Mariota taking over in Week 3.
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2026-09-21 to 2026-11-03 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Sept, 07:26 UTC
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What happened
Marcus Mariota to start for Commanders in Week 3 against Seattle Seahawks
The Washington Commanders will turn to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to start in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks while Jayden Daniels recovers from his dislocated elbow. Head coach Dan Quinn announced the decision, stating the team would rally around Mariota until Daniels returns to action.
Jayden Daniels previously sidelined for over one month with dislocated elbow in 2025 season
Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 9 of the 2025 season that sidelined him for more than a month. After briefly returning to the lineup, he re-aggravated the injury and was shut down for the remainder of the season. Daniels appeared in only seven games during his sophomore season in 2025, and his extended absence contributed significantly to the Commanders' decline from NFC Championship contenders to being eliminated from playoff consideration.
Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels suffers dislocated left elbow against Dallas Cowboys
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow during the final play of the first half in the team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. This is the second dislocated elbow injury Daniels has suffered in as many seasons. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the injury and stated that Daniels would undergo additional testing on Monday to determine the extent of the damage and recovery timeline.
Commanders start 2026 season 0-2 after losses to Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys
The Washington Commanders began the 2026 season with consecutive losses, falling to 0-2 after games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. The team now faces additional difficulty competing in the NFC East division and the broader playoff race while their starting quarterback recovers from injury.
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2 alternative perspectives
Daniels Faces Second Elbow Dislocation in Recurring Injury Pattern
Daniels sustains second elbow dislocation, having previously missed over a month with same injury in 2025.