Will QB Marcus Mariota Miss the Commanders' Season Opener?

The Washington Commanders are set to open their 2023 season on September 11th against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, there is some uncertainty surrounding the availability of starting quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Mariota suffered a knee injury in the Commanders' preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on August 21st. The injury was initially diagnosed as a sprain, but further evaluation revealed a torn meniscus. Mariota underwent surgery to repair the meniscus on August 23rd.

The Commanders have not released a timetable for Mariota's return, but it is likely that he will miss at least the first few games of the regular season. If Mariota is unable to play in the season opener, backup quarterback Sam Howell would be expected to start.

Howell is a former first-round pick of the Commanders who has shown promise in limited action. However, he is still a relatively inexperienced quarterback, and he will be facing a tough test in his first NFL start.

The Commanders will be hoping that Mariota is able to return to the field as soon as possible. He is a key part of their offense, and his absence would be a major setback.