Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to make his second start of the season on Sunday, stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels as the team travels to London to face the Indianapolis Colts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The matchup will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to watch the international contest in real time. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the starting lineup on Friday following a practice session held at the team’s hotel outside the capital. Quinn explained that the decision was made after evaluating Daniels' health and the overall readiness of the quarterback corps.
Daniels, who suffered a dislocated elbow during Week Two against the Dallas Cowboys, returned to practice earlier this week. Although he has been wearing a protective brace and reported no pain, the coaching staff decided to keep him out of the upcoming game as a precautionary measure. "[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 described Daniels' return to the practice field as "a huge positive step for him and for us," emphasizing that the team will continue to monitor his progress throughout the next week of full‑team practices.
"We'll assess where we are next week when we get to a full week of practice all the way through," the coach added. Mariota’s recent performance gives the Commanders confidence heading into the London showdown.
In the previous game, the veteran quarterback threw three touchdown passes, leading Washington to a narrow 33‑31 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. That win highlighted Mariota’s ability to manage high‑pressure situations and deliver in clutch moments. The elbow injury marks the second dislocation Daniels has endured in as many seasons.
He missed the majority of the second half of last season after a similar setback, raising concerns about his long‑term durability. Nevertheless, the third‑year quarterback, who guided the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game in his rookie season, remained mentally prepared for the Colts matchup. "That's what the brace is for," Daniels remarked when asked about his readiness, indicating confidence in the protective equipment and his own recovery. Looking ahead, the Commanders will host the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, before enjoying a bye in Week Seven.
Quinn praised Daniels' work ethic and resilience, 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 questioned about the criteria needed to reinstate Daniels, Quinn emphasized the importance of a comprehensive medical evaluation. "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 explained.
In addition to the on‑field updates, the broadcast included a segment from the Inside The Huddle podcast, where analysts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter previewed the international contest. Both commentators highlighted the significance of the Commanders' recent win and the boost in confidence it provides, especially with Mariota under center. Schecter noted, "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 contending with their own offensive challenges. Wide receiver Alec Pierce remains sidelined, and quarterback Daniel Jones is still working to regain the rhythm he displayed last season. Schecter pointed out that the lack of a dynamic running game hampers Indianapolis, as much of their offense relies on the ground attack spearheaded by Jonathan Taylor.
"They're not the same without an explosive running game," she said. "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 further elaborated on the defensive strategy the Commanders might employ, suggesting that Washington will aim to clog the interior and force the Colts to look outside to less experienced receivers. "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 out you under pressure.'" She added that the Commanders have successfully executed this approach in the past, noting, "We've read that book before and saw it a couple of times last year when people felt they had Daniel Jones' number. It should be a high‑scoring game but I'm going to go with the Commanders." Reynolds echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the game could become a showcase for 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 London encounter promises to be a compelling clash of contrasting styles: a seasoned veteran quarterback in Mariota leading a disciplined, defense‑oriented Commanders unit against a Colts offense trying to rediscover its identity without key playmakers. Fans can tune in via Sky Sports for live coverage, and the game will also be available on the NOW streaming platform with flexible, contract‑free options. For those interested in following the broader NFL narrative, the 2026 season continues to deliver excitement, with every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Sky Sports offers a range of subscription deals and streaming packages to ensure viewers can catch all the action, from the regular season through to the championship showdown.