Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the preseason, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Mariota was injured during Friday’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, leaving the game after just four plays.
After handing the ball off to Kaytron Allen, Mariota immediately fell to the ground with a noncontact injury. He was surrounded by Washington’s training staff before eventually walking off the field under his own power. After going into the blue medical tent, Mariota had a brief sideline chat with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator David Blough before walking to the locker room.
Mariota returned to be the Commanders’ backup quarterback for a third season after signing a one-year, $7 million deal in March.
He started eight games last season for Washington and appeared in 11 as Daniels battled injuries. Mariota threw for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but the Commanders won only two of his starts.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
