Commanders HC Dan Quinn opens up on Sam Hartman snub after Marcus Mariota injury ahead of Christmas game vs. Cowboys

The Washington Commanders will face the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day without Marcus Mariota. He has been ruled out due to injuries sustained in Week 16. The quarterback received stitches in his throwing hand and suffered a quadriceps injury during the team’s 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

With Jayden Daniels already on injured reserve and Mariota unavailable, Commanders coach Dan Quinn gave the QB1 job to veteran Josh Johnson. He will make his first start since 2021. Jeff Driskel, signed from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad this week, will serve as the backup.

Sam Hartman was not chosen for the primary reserve role despite the quarterback crisis. Quinn explained the decision on Wednesday.

“(Hartman) didn’t get a lot of team reps as it went when you’re going through the season as the (number) four," Quinn said to reporters.

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"We thought Jeff would add a different dimension to us. Next week will play out differently. So that was what we decided was the best thing this week on a short one, but everything’s open. That’s what we discussed with Sam as we head into next week’s game."

Hartman has spent most of the year on the practice squad and has no regular-season snaps. He'll remain an emergency backup unless further injuries occur.

Will Marcus Mariota’s injury be a major struggle for the Commanders?

The Washington Commanders’ disappointing season took another hit with Marcus Mariota sidelined due to injuries he suffered in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 95 yards before exiting early in the third quarter.

Washington (4-11) has lost nine of its last 10 games and has been eliminated from playoff contention. Mariota filled in for Jayden Daniels, who was shut down for the season with an elbow injury. His absence has forced the Commanders to start Josh Johnson, with Jeff Driskel as his backup. Neither of them has had meaningful recent starts.

Mariota’s stats before the injury were decent. However, the limited passing yardage and a middling passer rating were a result of Washington's offensive struggles.

Meanwhile, Dallas (6-8) remains in the NFC playoff race, fighting for either a wild-card spot or a better seeding. A win will help the Cowboys in division tiebreaker scenarios since Washington is an NFC East opponent.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez