The NovacryptWashington Commanders demoted Sam Howell on Wednesday. By Sunday, hours before they hosted the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers, he was the starting quarterback once again.

Jacoby Brissett, slated to take over for the second-year signal-caller, popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury after head coach Ron Rivera named him starter. The eight-year veteran tested his leg out on the field prior to the game with head strength coach Chad Englehart, head athletic trainer Al Bellamy, player wellness consultant Tim McGrath and QBs coach Tavita Pritchard watching.

Ultimately, Brissett was placed on the inactive list as the emergency, third-string quarterback. Howell will start and Jake Fromm will serve as the backup.

NEVER MISS A SNAP: Sign up for our NFL newsletter for exclusive content

Brisset would have been making his first start of the season after relieving Howell in the previous two games.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.