Marcus Mariota DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Washington Commanders veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) will not go on Injured Reserve after spraining his MCL in the Week 4 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. It means that the Commanders think Mariota could be back within two to three weeks after he missed two and a half weeks after his first MCL sprain during the preseason in August. It also means that Washington may not need to sign an outside veteran QB to time them over. That will especially be the case if starter Jayden Daniels is able to return this weekend against the division-rival New York Giants after dislocating his left elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. If Daniels is not cleared to play this weekend, Athan Kaliakmanis would be forced into making his first NFL start under center. The 32-year-old Mariota has already appeared in three games (two starts) for Washington this year after playing in 11 games (eight starts) in 2025 due to injuries to Daniels. He has gone 33-for-51 passing for 340 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in limited action in 2026, but he will return to his usual backup role when he heals from his MCL sprain.

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered an MCL sprain on Sunday in the team's 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London in Week 4, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. It is Mariota's second MCL sprain of the year, with the first coming in the preseason. In Mariota's second straight start for the injured Jayden Daniels (elbow), he went 3-for-4 passing for 46 yards before injuring his knee. Athan Kaliakmanis took over under center for Washington and went 15-for-33 passing for 186 yards, a touchdown, and one interception the rest of the way. Mariota did not miss much time with his right-knee injury during the preseason, but the veteran 32-year-old should be expected to miss a little time going forward, which means the Commanders could be in trouble at the QB position for a Week 5 game against the visiting New York Giants if Daniels is not yet cleared from the dislocated left elbow he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The good news for the Commanders is that Daniels was limited in practice last week, so if he can upgrade to a full practice this week, he could be cleared to return this weekend.

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (right knee) aggravated the MCL injury he first suffered during the preseason and is expected to miss some time, according to Ian Rapoport. Mariota will undergo additional testing after leaving Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter. He completed three of four passes for 46 yards and added a 35-yard run before going down. Rapoport also reported that there is hope Jayden Daniels (left elbow) can return in Week 5 against the New York Giants. Daniels was limited in all three practices this past week but was ruled out Friday, with Washington planning to reevaluate him after another week of work. If Daniels is not ready, rookie Athan Kaliakmanis would be next in line with Mariota now expected to miss time.