Marcus Mariota Injury Update and Status Ahead of Commanders' Season Revealed in New NFL Rumors

Marcus Mariota started the Washington Commanders' preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins on Friday, but he reportedly won't be back on the field for the rest of the preseason.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Mariota suffered a sprained MCL that will "likely" keep him out for the rest of the preseason.

The Oregon product suffered the injury during his team's first offensive possession and ended up going to the locker room.

"Mariota's departure came after a play that saw him hand the ball off to Kaytron Allen, but he took a hit while delivering a pass on the previous play," Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted.

Washington then turned to Sam Hartman under center before eventually playing rookie and seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis. Neither threw a touchdown while the latter was intercepted, but the Commanders still earned a 20-7 victory behind rushing touchdowns from Allen and Robert Henry Jr.

While Jayden Daniels is the starter in Washington, injuries limited him to just seven games last season.

Given Daniels' tendency to use his legs and last season's injury concerns as the backdrop, backup quarterback is an important position for the Commanders. Mariota filled that role in 2025 and ended up making eight starts.

He completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, although the team was just 2-6 in his starts.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner gives the Commanders a veteran presence on the depth chart who has started 82 games in a career that also includes stops with the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

The injury is a setback, but it at least isn't a season-ending one. It will also give the Commanders more opportunity to see what they have with young quarterbacks in Hartman and Kaliakmanis during the preseason.

Ideally for Washington, Mariota will be healthy and ready to go come the regular season so he can resume his duties as Daniels' backup.