Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to take the field for 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 an international showcase of NFL action. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the quarterback change on Friday after a practice session held at the team’s hotel outside the capital. Quinn explained that while Daniels has returned to practice following a dislocated elbow suffered in Week Two against the Dallas Cowboys, the coaching staff has decided to keep him out of the upcoming game to allow for a full recovery.
Daniels, who wore a protective brace during his limited practice, said he felt fine and was mentally preparing for a possible start against Indianapolis. However, Quinn emphasized the importance of caution: "[Daniels] had a great week.
It was awesome to have him back on the field in a limited fashion. He'll be out. Marcus will start." The coach described Daniels' return as a "huge positive step for him and for us," but added that the final decision will be based 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," Quinn said, indicating that a full practice schedule will be the true test of Daniels' readiness. Mariota enters the London game on the heels of a strong performance against the Seattle Seahawks, where he threw three touchdown passes in a 33-31 victory over the defending champions. That showing helped cement his role as the team's interim starter and gave the offense a spark that the Commanders hope to carry into the international matchup.
Daniels' elbow injury marks the second dislocation in as many seasons, a setback that also sidelined him for the majority of the second half of last year. Despite the recurrence, Daniels remained optimistic, noting that the brace he wears is designed to protect the joint and prevent further damage. "That's what the brace is for," he said. Looking ahead, the Commanders will host the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, before enjoying a bye in Week Seven.
Quinn praised Daniels' dedication to recovery, 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 for Daniels to return to game action, Quinn pointed to the overall medical assessment and the need for a full week of 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 explained. The upcoming London contest has generated buzz among analysts.
On the Inside The Huddle podcast, Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter discussed the implications of the quarterback switch and the broader context of the game. Schecter highlighted the confidence boost that Mariota's presence provides, especially after a recent win: "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 also examined the Colts' offensive challenges. The Indianapolis squad is still missing wide receiver Alec Pierce and is working to get quarterback Daniel Jones back to the speed he displayed last season. "They're not the same without an explosive running game," Schecter noted, emphasizing the reliance on running back Jonathan Taylor.
She added that the Colts have struggled to establish a consistent aerial attack, forcing Jones into uncomfortable situations with limited receiving options such as Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren. "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.'" Reynolds echoed this sentiment, predicting a game dominated by Taylor's rushing prowess: "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." Both analysts concluded that while the contest could be high-scoring, they leaned toward a Commanders victory, citing Mariota's recent form and the defensive scheme that aims to neutralize the Colts' limited passing weapons.
For fans wishing to watch the game, Sky Sports will stream the live action, and the network also offers a convenient video player optimized for Chrome browsers. The NFL season continues to expand its global footprint, with the 2026 season featuring live coverage of every playoff game and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers can explore Sky Sports' latest subscription deals or stream without a contract via the NOW platform, ensuring easy access to the league's premier events.