Commanders QB Marcus Mariota has sprained MCL, sources say

Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL during Friday's preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins and will miss the remainder of the preseason, according to ESPN.

The Commanders' backup quarterback left the game after just four plays on a noncontact injury. According to ESPN's reporting, Mariota fell to the ground after handing the ball off to Kaytron Allen. He walked off the field under his own power and had a sideline conversation with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator David Blough before heading to the locker room.

Mariota signed a one-year, $7 million deal in March to return to Washington as the backup quarterback for a third season. Last season, per ESPN, he started eight games for the Commanders and appeared in 11 total as Daniels dealt with injuries. In those starts, Mariota threw for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, with the Commanders winning only two of his eight starts.

The injury forces the Commanders to rely on their third-string quarterback option during the remainder of the preseason while Daniels, who has battled injuries himself, remains the sole ready option at the position. ESPN did not specify an exact timeline for Mariota's return beyond the remainder of the preseason, nor did the sources identify the third-string quarterback plan moving forward.

The Bottom Line: Washington will proceed through the final weeks of preseason with Mariota sidelined and Daniels as the only immediately available starter. The club's depth at the position would come under pressure if Daniels were to sustain another injury during the regular season.