Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota will step back onto the field for his second start on Sunday, taking the reins from the sidelined Jayden Daniels as the team travels to London to face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The matchup will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to see how the Commanders adapt to the sudden change at the most pivotal position on the roster. Head coach Dan Quinn made the announcement on Friday following a practice session held at the team's hotel outside the capital. Quinn praised Daniels for his effort in returning to practice after a dislocated elbow suffered in Week Two against the Dallas Cowboys.
Although Daniels has been wearing a protective brace and has expressed confidence that he can avoid further injury, the coaching staff has decided to keep him out for at least one more game to ensure a full recovery. "[Daniels] had a great week.
It was awesome to have him back on the field in a limited fashion," Quinn said. "He'll be out. Marcus will start." Quinn highlighted that Daniels’ return to the practice field was a "huge positive step for him and for us," but emphasized that the ultimate decision will hinge on a comprehensive medical evaluation. "We'll assess where we are next week when we get to a full week of practice all the way through," he added, indicating that the quarterback's health will be monitored closely over the next several days.
Mariota arrives in London on the back of a strong performance in the previous week’s game, where he threw three touchdown passes in a thrilling 33‑31 victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. That win not only bolstered the Commanders’ confidence but also gave Mariota a taste of the high‑pressure environment he will face against the Colts, who are also coming off a win. Daniels’ elbow injury marks the second dislocation in as many seasons for the young quarterback. He missed a substantial portion of the second half of last year after a similar setback.
Despite the recurrence, Daniels remained optimistic on Thursday, saying he was mentally preparing to start against Indianapolis and that the brace would protect his elbow. "That's what the brace is for," he remarked. The Commanders’ schedule also includes a home game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, with a bye week arriving in Week Seven. Quinn underscored the importance of any practice time for Daniels, noting, "Certainly, anytime you can practice, that's a big deal.
So for him to get back, that was a big step for us. Typical for him, he's more ready than you'd expect.
That's just kind of how he is." When pressed about the criteria for reinstating Daniels, Quinn explained that the decision rests on a full medical clearance and a week of unrestricted practice. "It's really just like an entire group medical performance.
Where he's at, the practice part was a big piece of that today. But next week we're planning for him to get a full week of practice. That would be a big deal for us," he said. In addition to the on‑field updates, the broadcast featured commentary from Inside The Huddle hosts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter.
Both analysts looked ahead to the international showdown, noting that the Commanders are riding a wave of confidence after their recent win. Schecter said, "When you come off a win you get a little bit of a different schedule, but you have hope and they both really needed these wins, especially the Commanders. The confidence that should give them, especially having Mariota at quarterback.
That is exactly what we need going into these International games." The Colts, meanwhile, are dealing with their own offensive challenges. They remain without wide receiver Alec Pierce and are still waiting for quarterback Daniel Jones to regain the rhythm he displayed last season.
Schecter pointed out that the Colts lack a dynamic running game, which forces Jones into uncomfortable passing situations. "They're not the same without an explosive running game," she explained. "So much of that team is run through Jonathan Taylor and they're struggling to get the ball going consistently. He has his sparks but there's nothing that's consistent.
That's forcing Daniel Jones into this uncomfortable position because right now your top players are Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren. That also limits where you're able to throw it on the field." Schecter added a strategic perspective, noting that the Commanders' defense will likely focus on shutting down the interior of the Colts' offense, compelling Jones to look to his less experienced receivers on the outside. "Other than that you got Laquon Treadwell, Keenan Allen. I mean if you're this Commanders defence, you're coming into it saying: 'We're going to take away everything inside and we're going to force you to throw it outside to your lesser receiver and put you under pressure.'" She predicted a high‑scoring affair but tipped the odds toward Washington.
Reynolds echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the game could become a showcase for Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor. "This is a game that Jonathan Taylor takes over. They don't attack Washington through the air because they don't have the weapons so this is a big Jonathan Taylor game. He's going to touch the ball at least 30 times, so give me the Indianapolis Colts," he said.
Overall, the upcoming London contest promises to be a compelling test for both teams. The Commanders will look to capitalize on Mariota’s momentum and the confidence gained from beating Seattle, while the Colts will rely on Jonathan Taylor’s ground game to offset their passing limitations.
Fans can catch every play on Sky Sports, and the broader NFL season—including playoffs and the Super Bowl—will continue to be streamed on Sky’s platforms and NOW with flexible subscription options.