Yesterday, Washington Commanders’ No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels, was sidelined during the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers.
In his opening offensive series, Daniels endured several hard hits to the midsection. After another tackle, he showed signs of discomfort and retreated to the sideline. Unable to throw without pain, the rookie quarterback was taken out of the game.
Veteran QB Marcus Mariota stepped in and delivered, completing 11 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. The Commanders cruised to a 40-7 victory, boosting their record to 5-2 and maintaining their top spot in the NFC East.
The Commanders later confirmed Daniels suffered a rib injury, and head coach Dan Quinn offered no further details in post-game interviews.
However, today Commanders fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as Quinn shared a positive update on Daniels’ condition.
Commanders HC Dan Quinn on QB Jayden Daniels:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2024
“The status for Jayden is week-to-week due to the rib injury,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “We’ll monitor his progress during practice and evaluate how he’s feeling.” Quinn emphasized that the injury isn’t “long-term” and that the team will “work smartly” to ensure Daniels’ smooth return.
Before the injury, Daniels and the Commanders made waves in the football world. After dropping their Week 1 game, they surged to a four-game winning streak. In that span, Daniels threw for 951 yards, four touchdowns, rushed for 212 yards, and added two more touchdowns on the ground, while committing only three turnovers.
Even in the Commanders’ Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, 30-23, Daniels proved he could hold his own against top-tier teams. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 269 yards, threw two touchdowns, and added 22 rushing yards. This performance solidified the Commanders’ confidence in Daniels as their future quarterback, and it’s clear the team is only a few pieces away from contending.
Daniels had been the clear frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROTY) with odds of -195. However, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been steadily improving and is now in the conversation. Daniels’ chances of claiming the award depend on how much time he misses and whether he can return at peak form.
This Sunday, October 27, the Commanders face the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, it won’t be the much-anticipated showdown between the No. 1 and No. 2 draft picks.
