Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to make his second career start on Sunday, stepping in for 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. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the decision on Friday following a practice session held at the Commanders’ hotel outside the city.
Quinn said the move was necessary after Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow during the second‑week game against the Dallas Cowboys. Although Daniels has been cleared to practice and is wearing a protective brace, the coaching staff has opted to keep him out for at least one more contest 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 remarked.
"He’ll be out. Marcus will start." Quinn praised Daniels’ return to the practice field as "a huge positive step for him and for us," adding that the team will reassess the quarterback’s status next week once a full week of practice is completed. The coach emphasized that the medical staff’s comprehensive evaluation will dictate when Daniels can rejoin game action. Mariota’s recent performance gives the Commanders confidence heading into the international showdown.
In the previous week’s game, he threw three touchdown passes, guiding Washington to a 33‑31 victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. That win highlighted Mariota’s ability to manage the offense efficiently and keep the team competitive against top‑tier opponents. Daniels’ elbow injury marks the second dislocation he has endured in as many seasons. He missed the latter half of the previous year after a similar setback.
The third‑year quarterback, who led Washington to the NFC Championship Game during his rookie campaign, told reporters on Thursday that he is mentally prepared to start against Indianapolis and is not worried about aggravating the injury. "That’s what the brace is for," Daniels said confidently. The Commanders will host the New York Giants the following Sunday, October 11, before entering a bye week in Week Seven.
Quinn noted that any additional practice time is valuable for Daniels, stating, "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 asked what criteria must be met before Daniels can return to game action, Quinn explained that the decision hinges on a full medical assessment and a complete week of practice. "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 coach said.
In the pre‑game coverage on Inside The Huddle, analysts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter discussed the implications of the quarterback switch and the broader context of the International Series. Schecter highlighted the morale boost the Commanders receive from a win, especially with Mariota under center, noting, "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 are still without wide receiver Alec Pierce and are hoping quarterback Daniel Jones can regain the rhythm he displayed last season. Schecter pointed out that Indianapolis lacks a dynamic running attack, relying heavily on Jonathan Taylor, who has struggled to generate consistent production. "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 will likely focus on shutting down the interior of the Colts’ offense, forcing Jones to look to his less‑proven 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.’" Both analysts agreed that the game could turn into a high‑scoring affair, but they leaned toward a Commanders victory. Reynolds emphasized Jonathan Taylor’s role, stating, "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." Overall, the London contest promises to be a showcase of Mariota’s poise and the Commanders’ defensive resilience against a Colts team still searching for offensive identity. Fans can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage of the 2026 NFL season, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. For those without a contract, streaming options are available through NOW, featuring the latest Sky Sports deals.