The Commanders have placed Marcus Mariota on injured reserve with his chest injury, and signed QB Sam Hartman to the active 53-man roster.
Mariota, who signed a one-year deal to back up Jayden Daniels this season, missed the last two preseason games with a groin injury, then suffered a strained pectoral muscle in practice, and must now sit out at least the first four games.
Jeff Driskel, who impressed in camp to be kept as the third quarterback over Hartman and some others, will now be Daniels’ No. 2 for the time being - and as the only NFL vet on the 53 with two rookies, his 24 games with five teams over six seasons is the sum total of the Washington QB’s room’s pro reps.
Hartman, who spent his final college season at Notre Dame after five seasons at Wake Forest, was signed an undrafted free agent in the spring and cut August 26, but signed to the practice squad the next day.
Washington will go with a 52-man roster Sunday after also releasing Byron Pringle on Friday, and only have six inactives; Johnny Newton, doubtful while still recovering from foot surgeries, was the only player other than Mariota who was a DNP in Friday’s injury report.