Jayden Daniels missed practice with the Washington Commanders on Wednesday due to a rib injury, raising concerns about whether he will be able to play this weekend against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. This game is expected to showcase the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 draft.
Coach Dan Quinn described Daniels as “week to week” after the No. 2 pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was hurt in a 40-7 win over Carolina, which improved the Commanders’ record to 5-2 this season.
Daniels took a hard hit and fell awkwardly at the end of his first run. He left early in the second quarter and was replaced by veteran Marcus Mariota.
“He’ll continue in all the meetings and our individual stuff to go through that, but he’ll get treatment today and then he’ll keep progressing through today and tomorrow,” Quinn said. He added that he will give an update on Daniels after practice on Friday.
Wednesday practices for Washington have been brief and light, so it is uncertain if Daniels will be limited or fully participate on Thursday.
“Practice is probably the biggest thing,” Quinn said. “I want to make sure he can fully express himself and do all the things that make him unique and special. That’s what we’ll focus on, similar to how we treat any other player going from Wednesday to Thursday to Friday.”
Mariota is expected to start if Daniels cannot play in a game that has been moved to national TV at 4:25 p.m. EDT. This will be only the sixth time since the common draft era began in 1967 that the top two picks faced each other as rookie quarterbacks.
“We’ll see how Jay feels throughout the week but nothing new to me,” said Mariota, who has started 74 games since being the second pick in 2015 and is about to turn 31. “I’m just trying to prepare and be ready if I’m called upon, but I think our guys do a great job of helping that transition.”
Mariota completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns while filling in for Daniels against the Panthers. This performance did not surprise his teammates.
“We watch him prepare every day,” said six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. “He’s always early and does extra work after practice. We see the effort he puts in, so we’re confident that whenever he gets the chance, he will do well, which he did.”
Daniels has thrown for 1,410 yards, rushed for 372 yards, and accounted for 10 touchdowns, making him a favorite for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Although his ribs are injured, his spirits seem to be high.
“He came out strong, anyway, knowing him, champing at the bit to get going,” Quinn said. “His attitude has been fantastic, just like you’d expect, so he’s doing well.”
