The Washington Commanders are already digging themselves into an 0-2 hole, and now they’ll roll out veteran Marcus Mariota at quarterback against our Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. Commanders general manager Adam Peters just dropped a Friday morning update: their star QB, Jayden Daniels, dodged a major bullet. “Surgery isn’t on the table” for his dislocated left elbow, and the team “hasn’t discussed” putting him on injured reserve.
Daniels’ Rough Start and Rushed Return?
Daniels suffered this elbow injury, his non-throwing one, on the last play of the first half in their Week 2 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys, getting carted off the field after trying to brace for a fall. He’s officially “week to week,” with ESPN reporting both sides are “shooting for a quick return.” Remember, Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, had a tough 2025 season where he was limited to seven games because of knee, hamstring, and even another left elbow injury. This year, through two games, Daniels showed flashes, racking up 260 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, three passing touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 90.3 passer rating, completing 56.9% of his passes. He’s clearly their guy, but his health is a massive question mark already.
Marcus Mariota: A Familiar Face Under Center
So, with Daniels on the mend, it’s Marcus Mariota’s turn to try and steady the ship for the Commanders. Undrafted free agent Athan Kaliakmanis will be the backup in Week 3. Mariota’s no stranger to starting, having been with the Commanders for his third season now. He started eight games for them just last year, in 2025, and made 11 appearances total. In those 2025 games, he put up 1,695 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions, with an 86.1 passer rating and completing 61.2% of his throws. He even added 297 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground. Last week, stepping in for Daniels, Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. He’s got experience, but his numbers don’t exactly scream game-changer for a team desperately needing a win.
0-2 Commanders Face Our Fired-Up Hawks
The Commanders are in a deep hole, already 0-2 for the season, with road losses to the Cowboys (37-20) and the Philadelphia Eagles (24-22). They’re struggling, and now they’re missing their starting QB against a team like our Seahawks. This is exactly the kind of situation our new head coach Mike Macdonald’s squad thrives on. We’ve got Sam Darnold under center, throwing to guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. This isn’t just another game for our boys heading into FedExField; it’s a chance to show the league what the Emerald City is bringing this season.
The stage is set for a vital Week 3 showdown. Our Seattle Seahawks head to D.C. this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, broadcast on FOX. This is an opportunity for our team to make a statement against a reeling opponent. You can bet Coach Macdonald will have our guys fired up, ready to capitalize on the Commanders’ uncertainty. Let’s get that win, Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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