The Washington Commanders are the surprise team of this young NFL season, which is mainly due to rookie Jayden Daniels. The quarterback excels in all respects, but now has to fear failure.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels got off to a great start in his first NFL season and now has to take a break for the first time. IMAGO/Imagn Images
He has an eye on the pocket, he evades, goes steep himself and makes the right decisions with his mostly very accurate throws: Jayden Daniels came into this regular season extremely strong – and that’s why it was quite rightly celebrated weeks ago.
On the one hand, the 23-year-old LSU graduate, Heisman Trophy winner in 2023 and second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, led his team to a fantastic 5-2 record after the first seven weeks of play. On the other hand, Daniels proved from match one onwards that he absolutely has what it takes to survive in the competitive NFL in the long term – as the clear starting quarterback of a franchise.
The rookie currently has 127 of 168 passes completed, which corresponds to an impressive 75.6 percent, for 1,410 yards including six touchdown passes with only two interceptions. Rounding out the statistics are 66 runs for 372 yards and four TDs.
Rookie duel is coming up: “We hope that he can play”
But now the Commanders and especially head coach Dan Quinn have to expect the playmaker to be out for the first time. Daniels suffered a rib injury on the first offensive move late on Sunday evening (CEST) and did not return to the field in the home game against the weak Carolina Panthers (1-6).
After all: After initial examinations while still in the players’ tunnel, the quarterback returned to the sidelines during the game, followed the action and even smiled. A sign of the all-clear? Not quite.
Head coach Quinn announced this Monday that we will have to see “from week to week” to what extent Daniels can play as quarterback again with full fitness and without the risk of an even major injury. The current injury is not in itself long-term, but it needs to be monitored closely. Quinn therefore said before the home game next Sunday (6 p.m. CET) against the Chicago Bears (4-2) around first overall pick Caleb Williams, who has played well recently even after a weak start: “We hope that he can play. But “We’re going to make sure we do everything we can and are smart about the player and the man.”
For Washington, which is currently first in the NFC East and has legitimate thoughts about playoff participation, it is much more important than a hasty deployment to look at the big picture. Here’s to the rest of the season. Here’s to the future of this team with playmaker Daniels. Because, the head coach told US media at a press conference: “He is such a unique player – and that’s why I want to make sure that he can be himself again with his movements, throws and everything that goes with it. I know also that he will do everything he can to be able to play again straight away. “But I trust my eyes.” In the end, his decision must be followed.
Substitute Mariota
What certainly plays a role in Quinn’s thoughts: Marcus Mariota – also a second overall pick (NFL Draft 2015).
The unexpected often comes: Marcus Mariota took over for Jayden Daniels and led the Commanders to victory. IMAGO/Imagn Images
Daniels’ replacement, probably still known to some from his Titans time between 2015 and 2019 (subsequently Raiders, Falcons, Eagles), took over this Sunday in the duel with the Panthers – and delivered. The 30-year-old achieved over 200 passing yards and two touchdown passes and made no mistakes, instead running several times for over 30 yards. In the end it was 40:7 – and Mariota, who had really been right there, said afterwards that he had only thought about Daniels at first and then “just wanted to go out and deliver”. He did. And the typical uncertainty in such a situation? Straight away.
