Former Oregon Ducks great Marcus Mariota didn't get his NFL preseason off to the start he hoped for. On Friday night, Mariota started the first game of the preseason under center for the Washington Commanders against the Miami Dolphins, but left during the first drive of the game with an apparent leg injury.
Mariota delivered a deep pass downfield to wide receiver Dyami Brown for a 22-yard gain, but took a big hit from a defender in the process. On the next play, Mariota turned around to hand the ball off to rookie running back Kaytron Allen, but stumbled as he pivoted. He immediately left the game and went to the locker room with assitance from the training staff.
The extent of Mariota's injury is currently unknown, as well as which play he was injured on. As he walked off the field, reports say Mariota was gesturing toward his knee before he made his way to the locker room.
Marcus Mariota non contact injury on handoff. Watch him top left. He’s out of the game.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) August 14, 2026
Was patting his knee when trainers came out. pic.twitter.com/aBDhMWHTL7
Unfortunately, Mariota has dealt with many injuries in his NFL career, which is now entering its 12th season. Mariota has battled knee pain in the past, and the 32-year-old veteran has missed plenty of games in his career. Over the past two seasons with the Commanders, however, Mariota has filled in admirably for Jayden Daniels, who has also missed time with injuries.
Mariota's place on the roster is secure as the team's backup quarterback. Sam Hartman replaced Mariota in the preseason game and is also competing for a roster spot. Time will tell how much time Mariota will miss in the preseason or in the regular season, depending on the severity of the injury.
Mariota remains Oregon's lone Heisman Trophy winner after his historic 2014 season, which led the Ducks to an appearance in the national championship game and he became the No. 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also made stops in his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Marcus Mariota exits NFL preseason game with apparent injury