Hogs Haven
Washington Post (paywall)
Commanders’ QB situation is muddled ahead of Thursday’s game. Also, no players are expected to be suspended for the brawl during Saturday’s game.
[T]he Commanders (4-11) again find themselves preparing for a game with public uncertainty about who will be under center. Coach Dan Quinn said Mariota is day-to-day after receiving stitches to his throwing hand; the team probably will not announce whether he will be able to play until Wednesday.
If Mariota can’t go against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, the Commanders could hand the offense to third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, who finished Saturday’s loss. Johnson is nearing the end of his 18th season in professional football but hasn’t started a game since 2021, when he was with the Baltimore Ravens — one of his 13 previous NFL stops.
Johnson completed 5 of 9 passes for 43 yards and an interception against the Eagles. Quinn said the journeyman would receive the majority of reps in practice Monday — and Johnson said he’s preparing as if he will lead the offense in the Commanders’ penultimate game.
Another possible starter is Jeff Driskel, whom Washington signed off Arizona’s practice squad Monday to provide depth. He was the Commanders’ third-string quarterback last season, so he’s familiar with coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
“I feel like I did make a lot of progress on Day 1,” Driskel said. “A lot of it came back to me relatively quickly just because there is a lot of the same terminology.”
Driskel has made 12 career starts, most recently for the Cleveland Browns during the 2023 season. Quinn said one of his strengths is “his ability to use his legs” and extend plays.
Heavy.com
Quinn kept his cards close to his chest when speaking to reporters on Monday, December 22. The same day the Commanders brought back Jeff Driskel, signing the veteran QB off the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.
Journeyman third-stringer Josh Johnson looks set to start, based on Quinn’s comments about the 39-year-old’s practice schedule this week, but the Commanders needed insurance. Enter Driskel, who returns to the team for a second stint.
Driskel had a brief stint with the Commanders in 2024, but he barely made it past preseason. It’s a stretch to believe he’ll start against the Cowboys, even if the Commanders are still without Marcus Mariota.
Part of Johnson’s problem was rust gathered from a lack of work in practice, but that’s going to change, according to Quinn.
He revealed on Monday “Johnson will get the majority of the starting reps today in practice,” per Selby. Those comments make it sound like Johnson is in line to start, meaning Driskel would probably be the No. 2 quarterback this week.
If that’s the case, the Commanders would need to get creative about who is their...
