Mariota Injury Scare: Commanders QB Forced Out of Preseason
Marcus Mariota Gets Hurt in First Preseason Game for Commanders
Published: August 14, 2026 • Updated: 7:49 p.m. ET
What Happened in the Game
Imagine you’re the backup quarterback, and suddenly the coach says, "You’re starting today!" That’s exactly what happened to Marcus Mariota on Friday night.
Here’s the play-by-play in simple terms:
- Coach Dan Quinn decided to give the regular starter, Jayden Daniels, the night off for this preseason game against the Miami Dolphins
- Marcus Mariota (a 32-year-old veteran quarterback) got the starting nod
- He only got to play four offensive snaps (that’s football talk for "four plays where the offense has the ball")
- On the fourth play, he handed the ball to rookie running back Kaytron Allen from the Miami 47-yard line
- Right after the handoff, Mariota started limping — nobody even touched him!
- Athletic trainers ran onto the field to check on him
- He slowly walked to the locker room with a trainer helping him
- Sam Hartman came in to replace him at quarterback
Injury Update: What We Know (And Don’t Know)
Important: The Commanders haven’t given an official injury report yet.
- The team posted on social media that Hartman was now playing quarterback
- They didn’t mention Mariota’s injury at all in that announcement
- Before getting hurt, Mariota completed 1 of 3 passes for 22 yards
- We’ll have to wait for the team to share more details about what happened
Commanders Quarterback Depth Chart
Think of this like a lineup card — here’s who’s next up at quarterback:
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st String | Jayden Daniels | The normal starter (rested for this game) |
| 2nd String | Marcus Mariota | Veteran backup — currently injured |
| 3rd String | Sam Hartman | Replaced Mariota in Friday’s game |
| 4th String | Athan Kaliakmanis | Rookie/depth option |
What this means: If Mariota can’t come back, Hartman and Kaliakmanis will get a lot more playing time in this preseason game since Daniels is sitting out.
Why This Matters (ELI5 Version)
Key Takeaway: Preseason games are like practice games that count for evaluation but not for the real standings. Teams use them to:
- See how backups perform
- Figure out who makes the final roster
- Give rookies real game experience
Mariota getting hurt now means the coaches get a longer look at Hartman and Kaliakmanis — which could help them decide who stays on the team!
Summary
- Marcus Mariota started at QB for the Commanders because Jayden Daniels was rested
- Mariota played only 4 plays before getting hurt on a non-contact play (handing the ball off)
- He left the field limping and went to the locker room with a trainer
- Sam Hartman replaced him; Athan Kaliakmanis is next in line
- No official injury update yet from the team
- Mariota’s brief stat line: 1/3 passing, 22 yards
FAQ
1. What is a "preseason game" anyway?
Think of it like a scrimmage or dress rehearsal before the real season starts. The scores don’t count for playoffs or championships, but coaches watch closely to see who plays well enough to make the team.
2. Why was Jayden Daniels sitting out if he’s the starter?
Coaches often rest starters in preseason to avoid injuries in games that don’t count. Daniels is the franchise quarterback, so protecting him is priority #1.
3. What does "non-contact injury" mean?
It means no opponent hit or tackled him. He got hurt just from his own movement — like pulling a muscle while running or planting his foot wrong.
4. Who is Sam Hartman?
He’s the third-string quarterback now getting a chance to show what he can do. More playing time = more film for coaches to evaluate him.
5. When will we know how bad Mariota’s injury is?
Usually within 24–48 hours after the game, the team releases an official injury report. Keep an eye on the Commanders’ website or social media for updates.
Stay tuned for updates on Mariota’s condition and how the Commanders’ quarterback competition shakes out!