The Washington Commanders signed a quarterback to help cover injuries, but head coach Dan Quinn still isn’t giving away any secrets about his plan at football’s most important position for Christmas Day’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
Quinn kept his cards close to his chest when speaking to reporters on Monday, December 22. The same day the Commanders brought back Jeff Driskel, signing the veteran QB off the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.
His arrival was confirmed by Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby, who also reported right guard Sam Cosmi was put onto the”Reserve/Injured List.” Not having Cosmi available when the Cowboys visit Northwest Stadium is a blow, but Quinn’s bigger challenge is finding a solution at quarterback.
Journeyman third-stringer Josh Johnson looks set to start, based on Quinn’s comments about the 39-year-old’s practice schedule this week, but the Commanders needed insurance. Enter Driskel, who returns to the team for a second stint, but he isn’t the former Washington signal-caller some hoped the Commanders would sign.
Commanders Keeping QB Secrets After Jeff Driskel’s Return
Driskel had a brief stint with the Commanders in 2024, but he barely made it past preseason. It’s a stretch to believe he’ll start against the Cowboys, even if the Commanders are still without Marcus Mariota .
The latter, who was subbing for last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels , injured his hand during Week 16’s 29-18 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles . Losing Mariota compounded an already precarious situation messy enough after Daniels was shut down for the remainder of the campaign.
Johnson hardly looks like a credible option after he completed five of 9 passes for just 43 yards and threw an interception last week. Part of Johnson’s problem was rust gathered from a lack of work in practice, but that’s going to change, according to Quinn.
He revealed on Monday “Johnson will get the majority of the starting reps today in practice,” per Selby . Those comments make it sound like Johnson is in line to start, meaning Driskel would probably be the No. 2 quarterback this week.
If that’s the case, the Commanders would need to get creative about who is their emergency QB. Quinn isn’t about to give any hints, with Selby noting “It was Jaylin Lane last week, but once he went down, Jeremy McNichols would have handled the role in a worst-case scenario. As for who it will be this week, DQ said he’s keeping that a secret.”
Reserve tight end Colson Yankoff was a logical candidate for emergency designation thanks to his history playing quarterback in high school. Unfortunately, Yankoff missed out against the Eagles because of an ankle problem .
Expanding the search beyond Yankoff won’t be easy. There’s no future Hall of Famer like running back, kick returner Brian Mitchell, who sometimes moonlighted as a quarterback during the franchise’s heyday, notably during the infamous “Body Bag Game ” against the Eagles in 1990.
Quinn will need a modern version of the Mitchell plan because neither Johnson nor Driskel inspire much confidence. Not behind an offensive line depleted by Cosmi’s absence due to concussion and set to face a talented Cowboys defensive front.
Cowboys Defensive Front a Problem for Suspect QBs
Cosmi’s a capable interior scrapper who’s arguably the best O-lineman on the Commanders’ roster. He’ll be missed against three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams , who’s not the only game-wrecker the Cowboys can deploy up front.
Skilled nose tackle Kenny Clark remains a force, while Osa Odighizuwa and edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney can put heat on the pocket. The Commanders ought to be worried after they surrendered two sacks and multiple pressures against the Eagles.
Avoiding more of the same will require the Commanders getting smart decisions from their quarterbacks, but Given what they have left at the position, Quinn is smart to keep the Cowboys guessing about the pecking order.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Commanders HC Has ‘Secret’ QB Plan for Jeff Driskel, Cowboys appeared first on Heavy Sports .