Washington Commanders backup QB Marcus Mariota out with MCL sprain
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Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Sunday.
Mariota, 32, will miss the remainder of the preseason, but Quinn is "optimistic that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season."
Mariota was injured during Washington's preseason opener against Miami on Friday night. Starter Jayden Daniels did not play against the Dolphins.
Quinn said the Commanders don't plan on bringing in another quarterback at this time. The only other QBs on the roster are Sam Hartman and rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
"It will allow more reps over the next couple of weeks with Sam (Hartman) and Athan (Kaliakmanis) in that spot," Quinn said.
Quinn said Mariota's injury has impacted his thinking for how much Daniels and other starters will play for the remainder of the preseason, but he has yet to make any decisions. He plans to re-evaluate after two straight days of padded practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I've got a bunch of situations that I'm trying to work through -- two minutes, four minutes, some goal-line stuff," Quinn said.
"This is our most heightened training camp block coming up, so I'm excited to see that. We haven't gotten to the planning of the game yet."
The Commanders' next preseason game is on Saturday against the Lions before concluding the preseason on Friday, Aug. 28 against the Ravens.
Murray starts
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Kyler Murray led a drive that ended in a field goal in his first game action since being named Minnesota's starting quarterback, New York's Jaxson Dart threw for a touchdown after passing a concussion test and the Vikings beat the Giants 13-10 in each team's preseason opener on Saturday.
Murray completed two of his three passes for 10 yards as coach Kevin O'Connell played his first-team offense -- minus top receiver Justin Jefferson -- for just one series. J.J. McCarthy, the 10th pick in the 2024 draft who has been relegated to backup duty, struggled in his first possession before settling in to finish 4 of 7 for 34 yards.
Allen shines
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- New Buffalo Bills stadium. Same Josh Allen.
Allen displayed his familiar strong arm and elusive scrambling abilities on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman in the Bills' 29-14 win over Carolina.
The outing was the Bills' first competitive game in their new $2.1 billion stadium built across the street from the team's former home.
It was also their first outing under new coach Joe Brady, who replaced Sean McDermott in January, and elected to play his starters to get accustomed to their new digs and coaching staff.
Elsewhere Saturday:
BEARS 34, BROWNS 10: Deshaun Watson led Cleveland on two early scoring drives in the first half of Saturday's loss to Chicago, and Shedeur Sanders tossed an ugly interception in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener for each team.
JAGUARS 24, SAINTS 20: J'Mari Taylor rushed for 78 yards and a 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Jacksonville scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to defeat New Orleans.
RAMS 20, CHIEFS 12: Justin Fields completed all four of his passes in his first quarter as the backup to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, then watched as rookie Ty Simpson led Los Angeles Rams to a comeback preseason win.
COWBOYS 17, SEAHAWKS 7: Rookie Camden Brown had two touchdown catches, including a diving, one-handed snag, to help lead Dallas past Seattle. Brown caught a 39-yard pass from Sam Howell in the second quarter to put Dallas up 10-7.