Daniels and McLaurin, out: Commanders with losses against Falcons

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss his second straight game, and this time he will be joined on the bench by receiver Terry McLaurin. Coach Dan Quinn confirmed the absence of both players for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. The Commanders will start with Marcus Mariota as quarterback; who played 13 games for Atlanta in 2022. Quinn also announced that John Bates (groin/calf), their primary blocking tight end, and receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) will not play on Sunday. None of these players were at practice during the portion open to the media on Friday.

Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) participated in Friday’s practice after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday. Quinn said he had a good practice, and the team later listed him as a full participant, giving him a questionable tag for Sunday’s game.

He is working incredibly hard day and night to return. Ultimately, the doctors have not yet cleared him. He is absolutely doing everything he can.

Dan Quinn

Daniels twisted his left knee in the Week 2 loss in Green Bay, after receiving a helmet hit at the end of a play in the first quarter. He remained in the game, but was seen limping noticeably afterwards. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and although he did agility work, he did it at half speed while wearing a brace. Mariota started in the Week 3 victory by 41-24 over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was the third game since the start of last season in which Mariota replaced an injured Daniels, and he has completed 48 of 62 passes for 573 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in that stretch. Mariota has talked about how much he likes playing in the Commanders’ offense, and his teammates have said he excels at the quick passing game and the run-pass options favored by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. But Mariota said it goes beyond the scheme. The second overall pick in 2015 by Tennessee, he started in 61 of the 63 games he played during five years with the Titans; since then, he has started in 14 of 31 games for four teams.

I’ve always had a belief. I was just waiting for the opportunity. I never loved the circumstance I have to come in and play, but I was grateful for it and grateful to play.

Marcus Mariota

McLaurin suffered a right quadriceps injury with 4 minutes and 47 seconds remaining in the third quarter against the Raiders while stretching for the goal line after being tackled at the end of a 56-yard reception. McLaurin has played in 72 consecutive games, and his last missed game was in Week 16 of the 2020 season. Due to injuries and a substitution, the Commanders will only have five offensive starters projected from before the season for Sunday’s game.

When you have two guys who have been reliable, have made a lot of plays in this league, you have to find other ways to get guys touches and move the ball in any way you can.

Kliff Kingsbury

It’s just about maximizing your personnel. It doesn’t matter who’s up, who’s down. As a play caller, you have to be able to adjust and maximize the guys you have and what they do best and put them in those positions to succeed. Our staff takes a lot of pride in that.