Howell will start with Commanders vs Niners

Jacoby Brissett was out with a hamstring injury.

Four days after being benched, Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will start against the San Francisco 49ers.

His quick return to the lineup became necessary when Jacoby Brissett was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.

Commanders coach Ron Rivera named Brissett the starter Wednesday after Howell continued to struggle down the stretch. Rivera had benched Howell in each of the previous two games (Washington trailed by at least 20 points in each game) and Brissett rallied the team both times.

Jacoby Brissett, who would have been Rivera’s ninth starting quarterback in his four seasons, led the scoring drives on his first five drives in both games.

But Brissett reported tightness in his hamstring after Thursday night’s meetings. He received treatment that night and the next day and was later listed as questionable on the injury report. After training about three hours before the game, with trainers and some trainers watching, Brissett seemed frustrated as he headed to the locker room. An hour later he was ruled out of the game.

Jake Fromm will serve as Howell’s backup.

Washington (4-11) will also be without starting left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and center Tyler Larsen, who were placed on injured reserve Saturday with a calf and knee injury, respectively.

For the season, Sam Howell has thrown 19 touchdown passes, but also 17 interceptions, the most in the NFL. He ranks 11th in total passing yards with 3,624. In the last five games, Howell has thrown two touchdowns and eight interceptions combined.