Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to make his second start this 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 showdown. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the decision on Friday after a practice session held at the Commanders' hotel outside the city.
Quinn explained that while Daniels has been cleared to practice following a dislocated elbow suffered in Week Two against the Dallas Cowboys, the coaching staff believes it is prudent to keep him out of the upcoming contest. "Daniels had a great week and it was fantastic to see him back on the field in a limited capacity," Quinn said. "He'll be out, Marcus will start." Quinn praised Daniels' return to practice as a "huge positive step" for both the player and the organization.
He added that the team will reassess the quarterback's status next week after a full week of practice sessions, at which point a decision about his availability will be made. Mariota comes into the London game riding a wave of confidence after delivering three touchdown passes in the Commanders' 33‑31 victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks last week. The veteran signal‑caller, now in his third year with Washington, has shown poise and accuracy, qualities that the coaching staff hopes will translate to success on the international stage.
Daniels' elbow injury marks the second dislocation he has suffered in as many seasons; a similar setback forced him to miss the latter half of the previous campaign. Despite the recurrence, Daniels remained upbeat on Thursday, saying he was mentally prepared to start against the Colts and that the brace he is wearing would protect the joint. "That's what the brace is for," Daniels remarked, emphasizing his confidence in the medical staff's assessment. The Commanders' schedule also includes a home game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, followed by a bye week in Week Seven.
Quinn highlighted the importance of any practice time for Daniels, noting that the quarterback's quick recovery is a testament to his work ethic and resilience. "Certainly, anytime you can practice, that's a big deal," Quinn said.
"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 emphasized a comprehensive medical evaluation. He explained that the practice session was a significant component of that assessment, but a full week of practice next week would be the decisive factor.
"It's really just like an entire group medical performance," Quinn stated. "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." In the lead‑up to the London clash, Sky Sports' Inside The Huddle program featured analysts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter discussing both teams' recent form. Schecter noted that coming off a win provides a morale boost and that the Commanders' confidence should be heightened with Mariota under center.
"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," Schecter said.
The Colts, meanwhile, are dealing with their own offensive challenges. Wide receiver Alec Pierce remains out, and quarterback Daniel Jones is still working to regain the rhythm he displayed last season. Schecter pointed out that Indianapolis lacks an explosive running game, relying heavily on Jonathan Taylor, whose performance has been inconsistent.
"They're not the same without an explosive running game," Schecter 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 that the Commanders' defense is likely to focus on shutting down the Colts' interior routes, forcing the offense to look to the sidelines and 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 put you under pressure.'" Schecter said. Both analysts predicted a high‑scoring affair but leaned toward a Commanders victory, citing Mariota's recent form and the team's defensive scheme.
Reynolds highlighted the impact of Jonathan Taylor, noting that the Colts' game plan would likely revolve around the running back's involvement. "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," Reynolds asserted.
Fans can watch the 2026 NFL season, including the international matchup and the playoffs, live on Sky Sports. The network also offers streaming options through NOW with flexible contracts, ensuring viewers have multiple ways to follow the action leading up to Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027.