Commanders fans were disappointed after Jayden Daniels left the field in the second half vs the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. And Marcus Mariota only added to the criticism.
The 31-year-old, designated QB2, threw a pick-six on his second pass in the game.
Why Marcus Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels
The Commanders faced a pivotal moment when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels exited in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Veteran backup Marcus Mariota took over.
Daniels, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall draft pick, was listed as questionable to return after limping off following a 12-yard scramble.
The Commanders, holding a 4-2 record entering the game, leaned on Mariota to maintain their playoff-contending momentum against a 3-3 Cowboys squad.
Daniels had been electric before the injury, throwing for 156 yards, one touchdown on 12-of-22 passing, while adding 35 rushing yards for one touchdown.
The injury occurred during a third-quarter drive with Washington trailing 17-14, as Daniels clutched his hamstring after evading pressure. Trainers evaluated him on the sideline before he was carted to the locker room, prompting Mariota’s entry.
Washington Commanders depth chart
OFFENSE
WR: Terry McLaurin, Chris Moore
LT: Laremy Tunsil, George Fant, Lucas Niang
LG: Brandon Coleman, Chris Paul
C: Tyler Biadasz, Nick Allegretti
RG: Nick Allegretti, Andrew Wylie
RT: Josh Conerly Jr., Trent Scott
TE: Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
WR: Noah Brown, Luke McCaffrey
WR: Deebo Samuel, Jaylin Lane
QB: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson
RB: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
DEFENSE
DE: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Jalyn Holmes
DT: Daron Payne, Eddie Goldman
DT: Javon Kinlaw, Jer’Zhan Newton
DE: Dorance Armstrong, Jacob Martin
OLB: Von Miller
LB: Bobby Wagner, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano
LB: Frankie Luvu, Nick Bellore, Ale Kaho
CB: Marshon Lattimore, Jonathan Jones
CB: Trey Amos, Jonathan Jones
CB: Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene
SS: Will Harris, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens
FS: Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Matt Gay
LS: Tyler Ott
KR: Deebo Samuel, Luke McCaffrey
PR: Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey