Commanders to start Howell vs. Cowboys, Heinicke to serve as backup

The Washington Commanders will start rookie quarterback Sam Howell in the Week 18 finale against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Ron Rivera announced Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Rivera said Taylor Heinicke will serve as Howell's backup, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

The meeting with the Cowboys will be Howell's NFL debut. The 2022 fifth-round pick spent the year behind Heinicke and Carson Wentz.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier Wednesday that Heinicke was expected to receive the start with Howell slated to play, too.

The quarterback change marks the end of Wentz's second stint as starter, which lasted just one game. After being tasked with leading the team in Week 17 - his first start since Week 6 - Wentz threw for no touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Commanders were eliminated from postseason contention later that day.

Heinicke had been Washington's starter since Wentz suffered a fractured finger in Week 6. He kept the starting job when the veteran returned from IR but was benched during the loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16.

Heinicke won five of his nine starts this season while throwing for 12 touchdowns to six interceptions.

The Commanders entered the final stretch of the 2022 campaign with a favorable 7-5 record before enduring a four-game slide of one tie and three consecutive losses.