The Washington Commanders have designated linebacker Jordan Magee, quarterback Marcus Mariota and defensive lineman Efe Obada to return to practice, opening their 21-day window to be placed on the active roster.
Per NFL rules, the Commanders can activate Magee, Mariota or Obada at any time over the next three weeks. Once that 21-day window is over, however, the team must either put them on the active roster or return them to their previous injury designations for the rest of the season.
Magee and Mariota were placed on Injured Reserve, while Obada was on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. The Commanders have also placed wide receiver Jamison Crowder on the Injured Reserve list, ensuring that he will miss at least the next four games. Crowder would be eligible to return to practice in Week 9.
Mariota, one of the Commanders' several offseason acquisitions, was placed on IR before the team's season opener with a strained pectoral muscle after missing practice that week. Jeff Driskel has served as the primary backup in Mariota's absence, but the 2015 No. 2 overall pick's true value comes from his leadership, guidance for 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels and mentorship in meetings. Mariota has still supplied all three while on IR but will be able to do so on the sideline once activated and return to his backup role.
Magee was one of the more exciting rookies during training camp and routinely received snaps with the starting unit while also providing value on special teams. Magee underwent successful surgery to repair his meniscus injury that he sustained in Washington's first preseason game against the New York Jets. Quinn didn't want to put a timetable on Magee's return in the moment but did say that the injury was not season-ending for the linebacker.
Obada, who re-signed with the Commanders in the offseason, has been on the PUP list since the team finalized their initial 53-man roster. Obada suffered a leg in Week 11 of the 2023 season and was later placed on IR with multiple leg fractures. Once activated, Obada is expected to add depth to a pass rush that has recorded eight sacks this season, four of which came during the Commanders' 42-14 win over Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.
