John Keim, ESPN Employees Author
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t follow Wednesday, however the rookie star’s standing for Sunday’s recreation towards the Chicago Bears stays unsure.
Daniels, who injured his ribs within the first quarter of Sunday’s victory over Carolina, was labeled as “week-to-week” by coach Dan Quinn on Monday.
The primary-place Commanders (5-2), nevertheless, stay hopeful that Daniels can play towards Caleb Williams and the Bears (4-2) in a matchup pitting the highest two gamers chosen on this yr’s NFL draft.
Marcus Mariota, who changed Daniels towards Carolina, would begin Sunday if Daniels cannot play.
Quinn stated Daniels was scheduled to obtain remedy Wednesday and may take part in conferences and walk-throughs. Quinn didn’t say whether or not Daniels would follow Thursday or Friday, including that he would tackle the rookie’s standing once more after follow Friday.
“I need to ensure that he can totally specific himself and do all of the issues that he does, which makes him so distinctive and particular,” Quinn stated.
Daniels has earned reward for the reason that spring for his preparation and the way rapidly he picked up Washington’s offense. He arrives to the power round 5 a.m. and sometimes conducts his personal walk-through an hour or so later, in keeping with a number of sources. He has continued utilizing digital actuality know-how to assist him put together for video games, which he began doing at LSU final yr.
Wednesday marked the primary Commanders follow through which Daniels could not take part since he was drafted within the spring.
“The excellent news for him [is] there’s lots of banked reps on issues that he is accomplished exceptionally effectively,” Quinn stated.
Daniels suffered the harm on his first play from scrimmage, a 46-yard run round proper finish through which he was tackled from the facet by one defender and from behind by one other. Daniels fell awkwardly. He completed the sequence, however earlier than the following possession, he tried to throw a warm-up cross, grimaced, went to the sideline and slammed his helmet to the turf.
Mariota accomplished 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns within the 40-7 win over Carolina.
“We have seen him play; I do know he is an important participant,” Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner stated of Mariota. “I do know all he does is put together and watch for his alternative and that is what occurred. He took benefit of the chance and performed the sport that we see him play on a regular basis.”
In the meantime, Quinn stated Daniels’ perspective has “been incredible, identical to you’d anticipate.” Quinn added that Daniels will not be swayed to return due to the matchup that includes Williams.
“It is about him and the readiness to prepare and assist our crew,” Quinn stated. “That is why so a lot of his teammates actually gravitate in direction of him.”
Williams downplayed the storylines of the 2024 No. 1 choose going through off towards the No. 2 choose, saying his “job is to go win video games on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays. That is it.” Williams added that he desires Daniels to play Sunday when requested whether or not he could be disenchanted if Daniels is sidelined with an harm.
“No. I hope he performs,” Williams stated. “Clearly you do not want to see good and nice gamers down, not in video games. It solely makes the sport higher. However no, I am not reliant off of that matchup.”
Mariota, the No. 2 choose within the 2015 draft, stated he can share with Daniels his expertise having missed 4 video games as a rookie.
“At first, simply being good and understanding what’s most essential,” Mariota stated. “Early on in my profession, you get very labored up about, ‘I’ve bought to play this week, I’ve bought to play this week.’ Typically it is focusing in your well being in the long run.”
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.
