An arduous season for the Washington Commanders will now see a third starting quarterback take the field.
Journeyman Josh Johnson will start for Washington on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys as backup Marcus Mariota will be out, head coach Dan Quinn announced Wednesday. Jeff Driskel, who was signed this week will be the backup.
With starter Jayden Daniels dealing with a left elbow injury and shut down for the remainder of the season, Mariota took over, but he injured his quad and hand in the Commanders' Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mariota didn't practice throughout the week, so it's of little surprise that Johnson is now taking over.
A man of many jerseys, Johnson will now start for the first time since the 2021 season with the Baltimore Ravens. However, Johnson started three games for Washington back in 2018. He's started for Washington, Baltimore, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through the years, but played with far more squads.
He's appeared in three games so far this season with Washington, completing 5 of 9 passes for 43 yards and an in interception.
The 39-year-old is next up for Washington as it works its way through a disappointing campaign after an NFC Championship Game run in 2024.
Johnson and the Commanders (4-11) kick off against the archrival Cowboys (6-8-1) at 1 p.m. ET to commence a Christmas tripleheader on Netflix Thursday.
