Commanders down to third-string QB Josh Johnson vs. Eagles after hand injury to Marcus Mariota

With Jayden Daniels shut down, backup Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota made his eighth start of the season in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But he left the game in the third quarter, leaving Washington to play third-stringer Josh Johnson.

At the conclusion of a third-quarter drive, Mariota entered the sideline medical tent. He then jogged to the locker room and did not return to the field for Washington's ensuing possession.

Marcus Mariota is being looked at in the blue medical tent. pic.twitter.com/bmmrDmSmM1

- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 20, 2025

Mariota had a towel over his right (throwing) hand as he jogged off the field.

Mariota jogged to locker room with a towel over his right hand pic.twitter.com/zhNanQPO1z

- JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 20, 2025

The Commanders then announced that Mariota had cleared concussion protocol, but was questionable to return with a hand injury. The precise nature of the injury wasn't initially clear.

The Commanders held a 10-7 lead at the time of Mariota's injury as they tried to spoil Philadelphia's effort to clinch the NFC East title. The Eagles outscored Washington 22-8 from there and won the division, the NFC East's first repeat champion in 21 years.