By Tiffany Williams –
Jayden Daniels’ status for Week 3 is hanging in the balance, and Washington head coach Dan Quinn isn’t ready to make the call.
The Commanders’ star quarterback is officially “day-to-day” with a shoulder issue, Quinn told reporters Monday, adding Daniels has already undergone an MRI and started rehab. “What does that mean for Sunday? I can’t tell you that now,” Quinn said. “I’ll have more to share on Wednesday and what that would look like.”
By midweek, Quinn made it clear Daniels still isn’t practicing. “Jayden had a good rehab session day. He also threw out on the field,” Quinn said Wednesday. “He won’t practice today, and then as we get into Friday, I’ll give you an assessment of where we’re at.” Quinn stressed that Daniels needs to practice before the week is out if he’s going to suit up against the Raiders.
If he can’t go, veteran Marcus Mariota is on deck.
Daniels has been sharp in Year 2, throwing for 433 yards with three touchdowns and no picks through his first two games. He already has the résumé of a proven winner — last season he tied Ben Roethlisberger’s NFL rookie record with 14 victories, including the postseason, and took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after piling up 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 891 yards rushing.
But Washington’s Week 2 loss in Green Bay left scars beyond the scoreboard. Daniels was sacked four times by a defense bolstered by Micah Parsons, running back Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles, and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. exited with a quad injury.
“They played better than us,” Daniels admitted. “Not really much else to say.”
Now, with a banged-up roster and a short week to prep, the Commanders’ franchise QB is racing the clock. Friday’s practice will be the telltale sign whether Daniels is ready — or whether Mariota gets the call in Vegas.