Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to make his second career start on Sunday, stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels as the team travels to London to take on the Indianapolis Colts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The matchup will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving fans in both the United Kingdom and the United States a chance to watch the international showdown. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the starting lineup on Friday after a practice session held at the Commanders' hotel outside the city. Quinn explained that the decision was made after a thorough evaluation of Daniels' condition following his elbow injury.
While Daniels was able to return to the practice field this week after dislocating his left elbow in the second‑week loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the coaching staff decided to keep him out of the upcoming game to allow additional healing time. "[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." The coach emphasized that Daniels' brief return was a positive sign but that the team would continue to monitor his progress closely. Daniels suffered a dislocation that required a protective brace, and although he reported feeling confident that the brace would protect him from further injury, the Commanders opted for a cautious approach.
"That's what the brace is for," Daniels remarked when asked about his readiness. His elbow issue marks the second dislocation in as many seasons; a similar injury kept him out for the latter half of the previous year.
Mariota, now in his third season with Washington, has already demonstrated his ability to lead the offense. Last week he threw three touchdown passes in a dramatic 33‑31 victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, a performance that helped solidify his status as a reliable starter. The win against Seattle also gave the Commanders momentum heading into the international fixture. Quinn outlined the next steps for Daniels, noting that the team will reassess his status after a full week of practice next week.
"We'll assess where we are next week when we get to a full week of practice all the way through," he said. "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." The Commanders' schedule also includes a home game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, before a bye week in Week Seven. Quinn highlighted the importance of every practice opportunity for Daniels, saying, "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." On the broadcast side, the pre‑game show "Inside The Huddle" featured analysts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter offering their perspectives. Both noted that the Commanders entered the London contest with confidence after a recent win, and they praised Mariota's poise under pressure. Schecter remarked, "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. Wide receiver Alec Pierce remains unavailable, and quarterback Daniel Jones is still working to reach the same rhythm he displayed last season.
Schecter explained that Indianapolis lacks a consistent running game, relying heavily on star running back 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 added that the Commanders' defense is likely to focus on shutting down the interior of the Colts' offense, forcing 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 out you under pressure.'" She predicted a high‑scoring affair but leaned toward a Commanders victory. 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.
Fans looking to watch the game can tune in to Sky Sports, which will also carry the rest of the 2026 NFL season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Sky Sports offers various subscription options, including a contract‑free streaming service called NOW, ensuring that viewers have multiple ways to follow the action.
In summary, Marcus Mariota will take the helm for Washington in London while Jayden Daniels continues his recovery from a second elbow dislocation. The Commanders aim to build on their recent success against Seattle, while the Colts hope to overcome offensive setbacks and rely on Jonathan Taylor's rushing prowess. The international matchup promises an exciting blend of strategic adjustments, player resilience, and the unique atmosphere of an NFL game played abroad.