Dan Quinn, Marcus Mariota visit old stomping grounds as Commanders face Falcons

Sunday will serve as a homecoming for a few members of the visiting Washington Commanders against the Atlanta Falcons.

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.

Joining Quinn in a return to Atlanta is quarterback Marcus Mariota, who started 13 games for the Falcons in 2022 and went 5-8. Mariota was signed prior to the 2024 season to back up Jayden Daniels, who was drafted No. 2 overall nine years after the Titans selected Mariota in the same draft slot in 2015.

Last week, Mariota was thrust into the starting role as Daniels recovered from a knee sprain. He was again ruled out on Friday by the Commanders, who left the decision up to their medical staff, setting up Mariota's second consecutive start against one of his former teams.

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 said Daniels was doing everything possible to get back on the field. He practiced this week with a protective brace and said he felt no pain or discomfort.

"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," Quinn said.

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."

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin's streak of 72 consecutive games started will come to an end. He didn't practice all week due to a quad injury.

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.

Commanders 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.

--Field Level Media