Sunday will serve as a homecoming for at least one member of the visiting Washington Commanders against the Atlanta Falcons, while the quarterback availability remains to be seen.
Washington (2-1) head coach Dan Quinn went 43-42 across six seasons at the helm in Atlanta before his firing in 2020. After finding new life in the nation’s capital, Quinn can enact some revenge against his former employer in Week 4.
Possibly joining Quinn in a return to Atlanta is quarterback Marcus Mariota, who started 13 games for the Falcons in 2022. Mariota was signed prior to the 2024 season to back up Jayden Daniels, but was thrust into the starting role as Daniels deals with a knee sprain.
Mariota filled in admirably in Washington’s 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first start since December 2022 with Atlanta, throwing for 207 yards and a touchdown, while adding another score on the ground. Quinn didn’t rule out a return to action for Daniels, who was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
“What I can say is that he is doing everything you possibly can to get out there,” Quinn said of Daniels. “The guy is the ultimate competitor for us. We’ll lean on the medical side to be the ones that fully clear him, but he’s working really hard to hit all the stuff he needs to hit.”
If it was up to Daniels, the reigning Rookie of the Year would take the field, but he’s ready to help Washington pick up a road win in any capacity.
“It’s up to the doctor; it’s not my decision. I feel good.” Daniels said. “Super happy for (Marcus) He deserves everything and he’s been my biggest supporter, so it was my turn last week to be his.”
Washington’s leading receiver Terry McLaurin didn’t practice with a quad injury, and is reportedly getting a second opinion from a core muscle specialist.
Atlanta (1-2), which has lost to Washington in each of the last four seasons, has had a few days to address a number of issues that plagued the team last time out.
After being shut out for the first time in four years in a 30-0 setback against the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, made the decision to move offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the coaches box to the sidelines and had another tryout for the failing kicking position.
Of all the pitfalls that plagued the team last week, head coach Raheem Morris knows it boils down to something much simpler – finding the end zone.
“We’ve got to score touchdowns,” Morris said. “We’ve been able to move the ball, but we haven’t been able to finish. We’ve got to figure out how to do that. That’s what we’d like to fix this week.”
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his ‘Welcome to the NFL’ moment against Carolina, recording his worst passer rating as a pro (40.5). With a week to get the bad taste out of his mouth, Penix acknowledged he’s the one that needs to pull Atlanta out of its funk.
“It starts with me,” Penix said. “I’ve got to be better with my execution and putting us in position to win football games. Nobody’s perfect, we’re not always going to have the best game, but putting up zero points, it’s tough. … We’ve just got to execute and find a way to win. That’s all it is.”
Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts (toe), wide receivers Jamal Agnew (groin) and Casey Washington (concussion) as well as defensive end James Pearce Jr. (groin) were all limited in practice Wednesday. Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (groin), cornerback A.J. Terrell (hamstring) and running back Nathan Carter (hamstring) didn’t participate.
For Washington, wide receiver Noah Brown (groin), running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee), safety Percy Butler (hip) and tight end John Bates (calf/groin) didn’t practice Wednesday. Cornerback Trey Amos was limited with a calf injury.