In a move that's far from the holiday spirit the NFL might have wished for, the Washington Commanders are set to start 39-year-old Josh Johnson at quarterback in their Christmas Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, in response to multiple injuries plaguing their roster, according to NBC Washington. With Jayden Daniels out for the season due to a recurring elbow injury and Marcus Mariota's recent quad and hand injuries sidelining him, Johnson, a seasoned NFL journeyman, will make his 10th career start and first since his stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021.
The Commanders, sitting at a dismal 4-11 following a loss streak, are to painfully conclude a season that drastically fell short of last year's NFC championship game appearance, Livingston Enterprise reports. Johnson already had a challenging outing last weekend, when he stepped in to quickly go interception then three-and-out twice, watching the Eagles capitalize and conquer in a 29-18 defeat.
Additionally, this particular game is one of Netflix's high-stakes investments, which they've acquired for a reported $150 million annually over three years for broadcast rights, as detailed by The New York Post. Yet, with viewers set to see Johnson, a player who's tossed the pigskin for an NFL record 14 different teams, the streaming giant's holiday showcase is looking more like a testament to the league's depth charts rather than a star-studded event.
Johnson's impromptu elevation comes amid a wider NFL quarterback crisis impacting the Christmas Day games, with fans expecting to see backups like Max Brosmer and Chris Oladokun under center due to injuries to starters. The New York Post notes that the NFL's holiday promise of prime football action has unwrapped into a series of unfortunate quarterback plots instead. The Commanders have also signed Jeff Driskel and Sam Hartman to bolster their ailing quarterback position in the wake of these injuries.
Injuries have further marred the Commanders' prospects, with the potential absence of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive tackle Daron Payne, and linebacker Nick Bellore, according to NBC Washington. As the Commanders and Cowboys both brace to face off, eliminated from postseason contention, the overarching narrative has become less about playoff potential and more about the perseverance and depth of NFL rosters during a punishing and protracted season.
