### Commanders' Quarterback Dilemma: Marcus Mariota's Injury Leaves Team in a Bind The Washington Commanders are facing a significant quarterback crisis as Marcus Mariota has been sidelined due to injuries sustained during their recent game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mariota, who has been filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, suffered a hand injury requiring stitches and a quad injury during the Commanders' 29-18 loss to the Eagles. With only two games left in the season, the team is now considering their options, as it appears that Josh Johnson will likely start against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/marcus-mariota-listed-as-dnp-again-on-tuesday][https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/12/22/sports/sports-breaking/commanders-pondering-qb-options-as-mariota-deals-with-injuries]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - Marcus Mariota left the game against the Eagles in the third quarter due to a hand injury and a quad strain [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/marcus-mariota-injured-vs-eagles-001722168.html][https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/marcus-mariota-injury-update-washington-commanders-josh-johnson]. - He has been listed as a Did Not Participate (DNP) in practice leading up to the next game [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/marcus-mariota-listed-as-dnp-again-on-tuesday]. 2. **Quarterback Replacement**: - Josh Johnson, the veteran backup, is expected to take over as the starting quarterback [https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/12/22/sports/sports-breaking/commanders-pondering-qb-options-as-mariota-deals-with-injuries]. - The Commanders are now down to their third-string quarterback, raising concerns about their offensive capabilities [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/washington-commanders/news/who-commanders-emergency-qb-josh-johnson-playing-injured-marcus-mariota/5d8c6541be9e3724fb3ee3c9]. 3. **Impact on the Team**: - The Commanders are already missing Jayden Daniels, and Mariota's injury exacerbates their quarterback woes as they head into a crucial matchup against a division rival [https://inews.zoombangla.com/washington-commanders-face-quarterback-crisis-as-marcus-mariota-exits-with-hand-injury]. - The team must quickly adapt to this situation to remain competitive in the final stretch of the season [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/marcus-mariota-injury-update-washington-commanders-josh-johnson]. ### Summary of Findings - **Current Status**: Marcus Mariota is injured and has not participated in practice, making his availability for the upcoming game against the Cowboys highly unlikely. - **Next Steps**: Josh Johnson is set to start as the Commanders' quarterback, with the team needing to strategize effectively to mitigate the impact of their injuries. - **Overall Implications**: The Commanders' playoff hopes may be jeopardized due to their quarterback situation, necessitating a strong performance from Johnson and the rest of the team in the remaining games. In conclusion, the Washington Commanders are grappling with a quarterback crisis as Marcus Mariota's injuries leave them vulnerable. With Josh Johnson stepping in, the team must rally to maintain their competitive edge in the final games of the season [https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/12/22/sports/sports-breaking/commanders-pondering-qb-options-as-mariota-deals-with-injuries][https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/marcus-mariota-injury-update-washington-commanders-josh-johnson].