Cowboys' Cobie Durant Exits 37-20 Win After Teammate Steps on Groin

Q: With Jayden Daniels sidelined by a gruesome elbow injury, can Marcus Mariota salvage the Commanders' season?

Yes, Mariota can keep Washington competitive for a stretch, but expecting him to truly rescue the season would be too much unless Jayden Daniels returns relatively soon. There are reasons for some optimism. Mariota is an experienced backup who knows Dan Quinn’s system, and he has shown he can function in this offense. Last season he appeared in 11 games, made eight starts, and threw for 1,695 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding mobility as a runner. He also replaced Daniels in two games and led wins in both. Against Dallas on Sunday, he went 11 of 16 for 111 yards and a touchdown, and Washington may have been denied another score on the overturned-or-upheld incompletion to Dyami Brown. But the larger outlook is still difficult. The Commanders are already 0-2, and Daniels is the player who raises their ceiling because of his dual-threat explosiveness. Before the injury, he had 96 passing yards, a touchdown and 69 rushing yards, showing again how much of the offense runs through him. Mariota can stabilize the position, but he is more of a floor-raiser than a season-changer. Washington’s path with Mariota is clear: lean on the run game, limit turnovers, and hope the defense improves after showing only flashes in Dallas. If Daniels’ dislocated elbow proves to be a short-term absence, Mariota gives them a credible bridge. If Daniels misses significant time, Washington likely shifts from trying to contend to trying to survive.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 21

Cobie Durant left Dallas' 37-20 win over Washington in the second quarter and did not return after going down in end-zone coverage.
Markquese Bell appeared to step on Durant's butt and groin while backpedaling, after Durant fell defending an overthrown pass to Terry McLaurin.
Cowboys trainers helped Durant off the field; the cornerback had joined Dallas this offseason on a one-year, $4 million deal after four seasons with the Rams.
Dallas still closed out a key NFC East victory, holding Washington to 10 second-half points as Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow.
The result moved the Cowboys to 1-1 and dropped Washington to 0-2, with Dak Prescott also setting the franchise passing-touchdown record.