JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA-IMAGN IMAGES
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 5.
Marcus Mariota will start for the Washington Commanders on Monday night as they try to cool off the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs.
The former Saint Louis School and Oregon standout steps in again for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who remains sidelined with a right hamstring strain suffered in last week’s 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Washington (3-4) has lost two straight and sits third in the NFC East, while Kansas City (4-3) has won two in a row and rejoined the AFC West race, trailing Denver by one game entering Week 8.
Mariota, making his third start of the season, relieved Daniels in the third quarter last week and finished 4-of-10 for 63 yards and an interception returned for a touchdown. Despite those struggles, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he expects a tough test.
“I’ve seen (Mariota) play throughout my entire career and have a lot of successful games, including this year,” Mahomes said. “So, we understand it’s still going to be a great challenge going up against a great football team and a guy who’s had a lot of success in the NFL.”
Mariota should benefit from the expected return of wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Deebo Samuel (heel), both full participants at Thursday’s practice.
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Kansas City, meanwhile, is finding its rhythm. The Chiefs have scored 28 or more points in four straight games, including last week’s 31-0 rout of the Raiders. Mahomes has 11 touchdowns and one interception over his last four starts.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, playing in his first regular-season game due to a suspension, had a team-high seven catches for 42 yards and a pair of scores against Las Vegas.
“He didn’t play the fourth quarter and probably wanted to,” coach Andy Reid said. “He came out feeling good, so that was a positive.”
The Commanders’ defense ranks 27th in the league, allowing 364.3 yards per game. They’ve forced only three takeaways all season — tied for second-worst in the NFL — and will be without their top three defensive ends.
“Our focus needs to be sharper,” coach Dan Quinn said. “That’s the bare minimum and we’re going to dig in to find out how we improve upon that.”
The Chiefs’ defense, by contrast, ranks fifth overall and limited the Raiders to just 95 total yards last week.
Kansas City placed rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott on injured reserve Tuesday after an ACL tear.
Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (ankle/knee), guard Trey Smith (back) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (personal) did not practice Thursday.
Hunt is dealing with a bone bruise on his knee, but Reid told reporters, “He’s going to be OK, but we’ll have him sit out today.”
As for Smith, who is having back spasms, Reid said, “It’s getting better. We’ll just see how it goes.”