Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (0) receives a snap during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Commanders rule out QB Marcus Mariota, cut WR Byron Pringle

The Washington Commanders ruled out quarterback Marcus Mariota for the team’s season opener and released wide receiver Byron Pringle on Friday.

Mariota will miss the Commanders’ game against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after he failed to participate in his second consecutive practice due to chest and pectoral injuries. Jeff Driskel will step in as the backup to rookie Jayden Daniels against the Buccaneers.

Mariota, 30, was signed to a one-year, $6 million contract with Washington in the offseason.

Selected by Tennessee with the second overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota compiled a 29-32 record as a starter for the Titans from 2015-19 and went 5-8 as the starter for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.

Mariota completed 15 of 23 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception in three games as Jalen Hurts’ backup with the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon, Mariota has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 15,820 yards, 93 touchdowns and 55 interceptions in 90 games (74 starts) for the Titans, Las Vegas Raiders (2020-21), Falcons and Eagles.

Pringle, 30, played all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023 and caught 14 passes for 161 yards.

He has gained 2,431 all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 74 career games (13 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019-21), Chicago Bears (2022) and Commanders.

Undrafted in 2018, Pringle won the Super Bowl LIV championship with the Chiefs.

Also on Friday, the Commanders listed rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton as doubtful to play in the season opener due to a foot injury.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Byron Pringle (13) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Bears place WR Byron Pringle (calf) on injured reserve

The Chicago Bears placed wide receiver Byron Pringle on injured reserve Tuesday with a calf injury.

The team activated linebacker Joe Thomas from the practice squad to fill the vacancy on the 53-man roster.

Pringle, 28, exited Sunday’s win against the Houston Texans in the first half after catching one pass for 11 yards.

He has two receptions for 33 yards in three games with Chicago after spending his first three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pringle will be eligible to return in Week 8 after missing a minimum of four games.

Thomas, 31, had five tackles in his Bears debut Sunday against the Texans. He previously played with the Green Bay Packers (2015-17), Dallas Cowboys (2018-20), Texans (2021) and Baltimore Ravens (2021).

–Field Level Media