Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Deshaun Watson

Monday, September 15, 3:41 PM

If Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) cannot play in Week 3, backup Marcus Mariota could be forced into action against his old team, the Las Vegas Raiders. After undergoing an MRI exam following last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers, Daniels was diagnosed with a sprained knee, which puts his availability for Week 3 this Sunday in question. Daniels' injury isn't considered a long-term one, but his status is in doubt for this weekend. The Commanders surely will play it safe with the 24-year-old Daniels. Mariota, 31, hasn't started in the NFL since he made 13 starts with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Since then, he's appeared in six games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Commanders, throwing for 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a pick on 67 pass attempts. Mariota wasn't bad in spot duty in 2024 with Washington, although he'd be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 3 if he makes the start against the Raiders.

Tuesday, August 26, 3:53 PM

The Cleveland Browns officially placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday to begin the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Watson tore his Achilles in the middle of last season and had multiple surgeries in the offseason. He will have to miss at least the first four games this year, but the full expectation is that the 29-year-old will miss the entire year. Cleveland will begin the season with veteran Joe Flacco under center, with one of rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders backing him up after they traded Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. The Watson investment has been one of the worst front-office decisions in franchise history to this point, as he has played in just 19 games since the start of 2021. It would not be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another down for the Browns again.