ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders will start 39-year-old Josh Johnson at quarterback for a Christmas Day home game against the Dallas Cowboys, coach Dan Quinn announced Wednesday.
Washington benched Jaden Daniels for the final four games of his injury-plagued second season due to aggravation of a previously sprained left elbow. His replacement, Marcus Mariota, suffered a quadriceps injury and required stitches on his throwing arm during Washington's 29-18 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend.
The QB changes epitomize Washington's troubled subsequent campaign after finishing 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship Game last season. The Commanders, 4-11, have lost nine of their last 10 games. That included a 44-22 loss at Dallas (6-8-1) on Oct. 19. Both teams are eliminated from postseason contention.
The Commanders will likely be without left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) for the second straight game, defensive tackle Daron Payne (back) and linebacker Nick Bellore (concussion).
Daniels, the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, started seven games but left three early due to injuries. Mariota has eight starts and 11 appearances.
Washington signed QB Jeff Driskell from the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad this week to back up Johnson and is expected to take Sam Hartman off his practice squad as an emergency third QB. The Chiefs also placed starting right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion) and rookie punt returner Jaylin Lane (ankle) on injured reserve.
Johnson, who holds the NFL record for most teams with 14 players, will make his 10th career start and first since playing for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. He completed 5 of 9 pass attempts for 43 yards with an interception after replacing Mariota against the Eagles.
