Jayden Daniels will have more tests on Monday after leaving the game against the Carolina Panthers due to a rib injury, according to coach Dan Quinn, who mentioned he had no further updates on the rookie quarterback’s condition.
“I can’t provide an update on Jayden right now, but I will as soon as we find out,” Quinn said after the team’s 40-7 victory. “I’ll share more information tomorrow, but I don’t have anything for you tonight.”
Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, shared a message on social media saying, “He’s fine.” Part owner Magic Johnson also posted that he’s “praying that Jayden Daniels’ injury is not serious!”
After seven games, the Commanders are 5-2 and have playoff hopes, but there is still uncertainty about Daniels’ situation.
“Clearly, it’s going to take some time or whatever it is,” said veteran Marcus Mariota, who took over for Daniels and threw for two touchdown passes and 205 yards. “We don’t know what to expect. But I think he was in good spirits, and we just check on him and take it day by day.”
Daniels ran for 46 yards on the Commanders’ first play but took several hits on that drive, including a tough fall. It wasn’t clear exactly when he got hurt, but Quinn confirmed it happened during that drive.
The No. 2 pick from LSU and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner seemed to be in pain as he left the field after completion before a field goal that put Washington up 10-0. He first went to the bench but then moved to the medical tent for evaluation.
After Andy Dalton threw his second interception in the first quarter, Daniels left the medical tent and went back to the field to throw a few passes. He then returned to the sideline and slammed his helmet onto the ground before heading back to the tent, allowing Mariota to take over the offense.
“When you see him go down, that’s tough for us,” said top receiver Terry McLaurin. “Marcus did a great job coming in.” With a towel in hand, Daniels walked off the sideline and down the tunnel to the locker room.
“We warmed him up, he threw some passes, and then we took him to the tent. The next step was, ‘We’re going to take you inside and get some images done,’” Quinn said. “He’ll have more imaging tomorrow.”
With Washington leading 27-0 at halftime, Daniels came back to the sideline in the third quarter wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, and the team ruled him out soon after. He spent the rest of the game talking with teammates on the bench.
“We won’t put Daniels or any other players in a situation where they could get hurt,” Quinn said. “I don’t have any medical information, so please don’t speculate on that.”
Daniels entered the game as a strong candidate for offensive rookie of the year. He had thrown for 1,404 yards, rushed for 322 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns in his first six games.
