Nate Davis

USA TODAY

ASHBURN, Va. — Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton are still chasing Super Bowl hardware.

But look closely Sunday when the Washington Redskins play the Cincinnati Bengals in London, and you'll notice both quarterbacks will be wearing another type of ring — on the field. Not exactly the Crown Jewels, but rather rubberized wedding bands.

"Yeah, I think Andy was the first guy I saw do that, and so I guess he blazed the trail," Cousins, who also wears his ring at practice, said after the Redskins' workout Wednesday.

"My wife was thrilled. She loved it and, honestly, after I started wearing it and realized how much my wife was glad that I did, I realized, you know, I think it's a good thing to promote marriage."

It's yet another similarity between two players who have had moderate success at the highest level of football even while frequently being labeled system quarterbacks. Both have played for Redskins coach Jay Gruden, who was Dalton's offensive coordinator for three seasons in Cincinnati. Cousins is an admirer of Dalton, a two-time Pro Bowler, and has closely studied his game while assimilating Gruden’s playbook.

Yet each is also openly passionate about his faith and wearing a ring on Sundays is just another way to express that.

"My wife's been a huge supporter to me, and I want people not to be afraid of marriage but to be excited about it," said Cousins.

New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and many kickers and punters can also typically be seen wearing their wedding bands on game day.

Cousins wore a white ring Wednesday but says he has a box of all colors, including camouflage, made by Qalo. The $20 trinket allows him to sidestep the injury hazard that would come with a gold or platinum ring.

"If guys have like a jammed finger or a smashed knuckle, it helps to have the rubber ring, because they can fit it over their knuckle as opposed to the normal ones," Cousins said, while noting another benefit.

"I would lose my real one if I wore it every day and took it off for practice and lifts. ... I've actually been wearing this all season, and when the offseason hits, I'll probably switch."

Tony Romo resumes throwing at Cowboys practice, awaits full return

Naturally, it was worth asking if Mrs. Cousins also sports a silicone ring.

"No," Cousins, who isn't a Qalo spokesman, grinned.

"She wears a normal one, so that's good. We get good use out of that one."

***

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

PHOTOS: NFL Week 8 games ranked by watchability