Daniels, McLaurin both ruled out for Falcons game

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders backmost Jayden Daniels volition miss his 2nd consecutive crippled -- and this clip volition beryllium joined connected the sideline by receiver Terry McLaurin.

Coach Dan Quinn ruled retired some players for Sunday's crippled against the Falcons (1-2) successful Atlanta.

The Commanders (2-1) volition commencement Marcus Mariota astatine quarterback; helium started 13 games for Atlanta successful 2022.

Quinn besides said John Bates (groin/calf), his apical blocking choky end, and receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) won't play Sunday.

None of these players were astatine signifier during the information unfastened to the media Friday.

Running backmost Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) was astatine Friday's signifier aft not practicing Wednesday and Thursday. Quinn said helium had a bully practice.

"He's moving incredibly hard circular the timepiece to get back," Quinn said. "Ultimately doctors haven't cleared him conscionable yet. He's perfectly doing everything helium perchance can."

Daniels sprained his near genu successful a Week 2 nonaccomplishment astatine Green Bay, getting deed with a helmet astatine the extremity of a scramble connected the archetypal play of the 4th quarter. He remained successful the crippled but was seen limping noticeably afterward. He was constricted successful signifier Wednesday and Thursday, and portion helium went done agility enactment -- the quarterbacks measurement implicit bags and past shuffle backward and guardant to simulate pouch question -- helium did truthful astatine astir fractional velocity portion wearing a brace.

Mariota started successful a 41-24 Week 3 triumph implicit the Las Vegas Raiders. It was the 3rd crippled since the commencement of past play wherever Mariota replaced an injured Daniels, and he's completed 48-of-62 passes for 573 yards, 5 touchdowns and nary interceptions successful that stretch.

Mariota has talked astir however overmuch helium likes playing successful the Commanders offense, and teammates person said helium excels astatine the speedy passing crippled and the run-pass options favored by violative coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

But Mariota said it goes beyond scheme. The 2nd wide prime successful 2015 by Tennessee, helium started 61 of the 63 games helium played implicit 5 years with the Titans; since then, he's started 14 of 31 games for 4 teams.

"I've ever had a belief," helium said. "It was conscionable hoping for the opportunity. I ne'er loved the condition wherever I person to travel successful and play, but I was grateful for it and thankful to play."

McLaurin suffered a close quad wounded with 4 minutes, 47 seconds near successful the 3rd 4th against the Raiders portion stretching for the extremity enactment portion being tackled astatine the extremity of a 56-yard catch. McLaurin has played successful 72 consecutive games, with his past missed crippled coming successful Week 16 of the 2020 season.

Because of injuries and 1 benching, the Commanders volition lone person 5 projected violative starters from earlier the play for Sunday's game.

"When you person 2 guys that person been reliable, made a batch of plays successful this league," Kingsbury said, "you've got to find different ways to get guys touches and determination the shot immoderate mode you can.

"It's conscionable ever astir maximizing your personnel. It doesn't substance who's up, who's down. As a play caller, you've got...