Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota will take the field for his second start this season on Sunday, stepping in for the sidelined 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. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the quarterback change on Friday following a practice session held at the Commanders' hotel outside the city. Quinn explained that while Daniels has returned to light practice after suffering a dislocated elbow in Week Two against the Dallas Cowboys, the coaching staff has decided to keep him out for at least one more game 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 said. "He’ll be out.
Marcus will start." Quinn praised Daniels’ return as "a huge positive step for him and for us," adding that the team will re‑evaluate his status next week once they have a full slate of practice days. "We'll assess where we are next week when we get to a full week of practice all the way through," the coach noted. Mariota entered the London contest 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 solidify his role as the backup who can step in and keep the offense moving. The elbow injury that forced Daniels out this week marks the second dislocation he has suffered in as many seasons. He missed the latter half of last year after a similar setback, raising concerns about his durability.
Despite the recurrence, Daniels remained optimistic on Thursday, saying he was mentally preparing to start against the Colts and that the protective brace would keep him safe. "That's what the brace is for," Daniels said confidently. The Commanders will host the New York Giants the following Sunday, October 11, before enjoying a bye in Week Seven. Quinn highlighted the importance of any practice time for Daniels, 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 asked what criteria would allow Daniels to return to game action, Quinn emphasized 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 NFL’s international broadcast team offered their own analysis. On this week’s edition of "Inside The Huddle," hosts Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schecter discussed the upcoming contest, noting that both teams entered the game on the back of Week Three victories.
Schecter pointed out the psychological boost that a win can provide, especially for the Commanders, who have been looking for consistency. "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," she said. The Colts, meanwhile, are still missing key offensive pieces. Wide receiver Alec Pierce remains out, and quarterback Daniel Jones is still working to regain the rhythm he displayed last season. Schecter highlighted the Colts' diminished running game, noting that they rely heavily on Jonathan Taylor and have struggled to establish a consistent ground attack.
"They're not the same without an explosive running game," Schecter observed. "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." She added that the Commanders' defense is likely to focus on collapsing the interior and forcing the Colts to look outside to less experienced receivers, a strategy that has worked against Indianapolis in the past. "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.'" Reynolds echoed the sentiment, predicting a high‑scoring affair but leaning toward a Commanders victory.
"It should be a high-scoring game but I'm going to go with the Commanders," he said. Reynolds also emphasized the impact of Jonathan Taylor, 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." Fans can catch all the action of the 2026 NFL season, including the international games, on Sky Sports. The network promises live coverage of every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers also have the option to stream matches without a contract via the NOW platform, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals. Overall, the Commanders are banking on Mariota’s poise and the defensive unit’s ability to limit the Colts’ limited passing options, while the Colts will look to lean on Jonathan Taylor’s rushing prowess to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The London showdown promises to be a compelling test for both squads as they continue to navigate a season marked by injuries, international travel, and the quest for playoff positioning.