Washington Commanders sign Sam Hartman from practice squad, place Marcus Mariota on IR

The Washington Commanders have placed quarterback Marcus Mariota on the injured reserve list and have signed rookie Sam Hartman from the practice squad, the team announced.

Mariota has been dealing with an upper body injury, and missed his second-straight practice on Friday, giving Hartman a chance to suit up for Washington on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Last month, Hartman sustained a shoulder injury ahead of Washington’s second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 17. He was waived on Aug. 27 and was subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day.

Coming out of college, Hartman was one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history. He racked up 15,656 yards passing over the course of six seasons in college football with Wake Forest and Notre Dame. He threw for 134 touchdowns, while also throwing 49 interceptions. He also racked up 20 rushing touchdowns while during his college career.

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Notably, Hartman does have a plan b if the NFL doesn’t work out. Earlier this summer, the UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions selected the former Notre Dame quarterback in the 2024 college draft. While Hartman ended up signing a contract with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, he was still eligible to have his UFL rights picked up.

For Mariota, he enters his 10th NFL season on the injured reserve. His arrival in Washington this offseason saw him join his fourth team in four years having played for the Raiders (2021), Falcons (2022), Eagles (2023) and now the Commanders in 2024.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning Oregon quarterback spent the first five years of his career with the Tennessee Titans but has been a league journeyman since leaving in 2019.

Both will be backing up starter Jayden Daniels, who the Commanders drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in April. The reigning Heisman winner, high expectations follow Daniels from LSU, but Hartman will be there behind him if his number is called.

Elsewhere on the roster, the Commanders also elevated linebacker Nick Bellor and defensive tackle Sheldon Day alongside Hartman from the practice squad.

Kickoff between the Commanders and Buccaneers is set for Sunday afternoon at 4:25 p.m. ET live on FOX.