The Washington Commanders will be without another veteran for the duration of the preseason with quarterback Marcus Mariota suffering an injury in Friday's win
The Washington Commanders officially kicked off the preseason slate with a 20-7 win over the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium on Friday night, but it also came with a notable injury at quarterback as
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Sunday morning that Mariota suffered a sprained MCL in Friday's loss that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the preseason. It marks a somewhat positive development given the immediate concern about the possibility of a non-contact leg injury for a veteran, though whether he returns for week one is still a question mark.
Mariota exited the game midway through the opening series after going down on the fourth play of the drive. The veteran took a big hit the play prior to his final down on Friday night when he was sacked, then appeared to grimace on the next play on a handoff to rookie Kaytron Allen that led Mariota to draw the training staff down on the field. He initially entered the medical tent before heading back into the locker room, leaving Sam Hartman then Athan Kaliakmanis to sort out quarterback duties the rest of the night.
How likely Mariota was to play in either of the two final preseason games may have been another question with the injury now giving offensive coordinator David Blough and the offensive staff a chance to evaluate the rest of the room. It remains a question whether the Commanders will carry a third quarterback on the 53-man roster as Kaliakmanis looks to dethrone Sam Hartman ahead of his third season with the organization.
While Washington now stays patient with Mariota, whether any other key pieces like center Nick Allegretti or cornerback Trey Amos return for week two of the preseason slate is the biggest question as Allegretti battles a calf injury and Amos an ankle injury. The Commanders are also adjusting to life without Laremy Tunsil after suffering a torn tricep during training camp, an injury that has shifted Brandon Coleman from left guard to left tackle.
Mariota, 32, is set for his third season in Washington after re-signing with the team on a one year deal worth $7 million and up to $11 million to stabilize the depth at the position. That depth mattered one season ago after Mariota appeared in 11 games and threw for nearly 1,700 yards and ten touchdowns to seven interceptions while completing just over 61% of his passes.
Washington will now hit the road for the second week of preseason when they face the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Aug. 22 with kickoff set for 12 PM ET.
