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Commanders Backup Marcus Mariota Out for Preseason With Sprained MCL

Coach Dan Quinn says Washington will shift reps to internal backups and is hopeful Mariota can return for the regular season.

Overview

  • Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee after a non-contact play in the first quarter of the preseason opener on Aug. 14 and left the game following on-field and tent treatment.
  • The team confirmed on Aug. 16 that Mariota will miss the remainder of the preseason while his exact recovery timetable for the regular season remains unclear.
  • Washington plans to keep its current quarterback group intact and give Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis extra reps behind starter Jayden Daniels rather than pursue an outside signing now.
  • Coach Dan Quinn said Mariota’s absence changes how the staff will allocate playing time and practice reps during the heightened training-camp block this week.
  • Mariota signed a one-year, $7 million deal in March to be Daniels’ experienced backup and his loss for preseason raises short-term depth and evaluation questions given his history of filling in during past seasons.