The Atlanta Falcons will face former quarterback Marcus Mariota on Sunday when they host the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Washington’s head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Friday that Mariota will start for a second consecutive week as Jayden Daniels continues to recover from a knee injury.
“(Daniels is) working incredibly hard, around the clock, to get back,” Quinn said in Washington. “Ultimately, doctors haven’t cleared him just yet.”
Daniels suffered his injury during the Commanders’ Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers and was inactive for their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He returned to practice in a limited role on Wednesday but did not participate on Friday.
Mariota started last Sunday for Washington, completing 15 of 21 passes for 207 yards and a 43-yard touchdown. He also rushed six times for 40 yards and scored on a short run.
Falcons safety Jessie Bates III commented earlier this week about preparing for either quarterback: “Doesn’t matter who’s the quarterback,” Bates said. “Whether it’s Mariota or Daniels, they both have amazing talent with being able to extend plays.”
Mariota joined Atlanta in 2022 after Matt Ryan was traded and started most of that season. He completed 61.3% of his passes for 2,219 yards, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions before being benched in favor of then-rookie Desmond Ridder late in the year. The Falcons released Mariota following that season.
“We know Marcus,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. ”Marcus was in this building before, got a lot of respect for Marcus and what he was able to do (last Sunday). They’ll run their offense. It’ll be very similar to what they do.”
The Commanders hold a 2-1 record entering Week 4, while the Falcons are currently at 1-2.
