Jayden Daniels' status is going to take up the headlines over the coming days before Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Washington Commanders quarterback is dealing with a knee sprain, so it's a wait-and-see scenario before something is officially confirmed.
Head coach Dan Quinn stated that Daniels must pass specific tests and hit certain targets before he gets the green light to participate. There's no telling how things will go, so the coaching staff will also prepare Marcus Mariota to be the starting option.
And he'll have revenge on his mind.
Commanders will rely on Marcus Mariota in Week 3 if Jayden Daniels cannot go
If Mariota gets the nod at Northwest Stadium, it'll be against one of his old employers. The signal-caller spent two years with the Raiders between 2020 and 2021. This switch came after the Tennessee Titans cut ties with their No. 2 pick, leaving the once highly-touted prospect with the reality of being a primary backup moving forward.
Mariota didn't get much of a chance with the Raiders. They were more than happy with Derek Carr despite his erratic performances. That left a bitter taste in the signal-caller's mouth, and he was eager to get away once a better opportunity came along.
Now, Mariota could get the chance to make the Raiders pay for their lack of confidence. In an ideal world, the Commanders will have Daniels on the field, but that's not a guarantee. And at least they have an outstanding fallback option to depend upon in this scenario.
The Commanders saw how well Mariota could execute Kliff Kingsbury's offensive scheme last season. He remains mobile despite his advancing years. He can also get the football out quickly and on time to his playmakers. That will be needed in no uncertain terms when Washington comes up against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders this weekend.
Mariota will be ready. He always prepares effectively. When his number is called, there is instant urgency, and everyone believes. That's not the case with most backup quarterbacks around the league, and the Commanders were thrilled to see him resist offers from elsewhere this offseason to remain part of their exciting project.
If Mariota is the starter at Northwest Stadium, he'll relish the opportunity. While the offense will lose dynamism without Daniels leading the charge, there's nothing to suggest another Heisman Trophy winner in Washington's quarterback room cannot do enough to achieve success.
Things will become clearer in the coming days. But the Commanders would be wise to get Mariota plenty of reps with the starting group if Daniels cannot prove his fitness.
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