Jayden Daniels, Out Due to Injury for the Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a low-grade hamstring strain, according to sources.
Daniels underwent an MRI on Monday that did not reveal long-term damage to his right hamstring. However, the Commanders do not want to risk a possible relapse against the Chiefs.
Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season in place of Daniels.
Mariota replaced Daniels when the latter was injured with 11:53 remaining in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Mariota completed 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and threw an interception that cornerback DaRon Bland returned for a touchdown.
Daniels suffered a sprain in his left knee in week 2 against Green Bay, which caused him to miss the following two games. The Commanders had a 1-1 record in those games, with the offense scoring a total of 61 points.
Daniels, who won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award last year, and the Commanders have struggled to repeat their successful 2024 season, as injuries have impacted Washington’s aerial attack.
He has thrown for 1,031 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception, while also rushing for 211 yards and a touchdown. Daniels had two costly turnovers, including a late fumble, in the 25-24 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6.
Has a total QBR of 51.4 (out of 100). Last year, he finished with a QBR of 67.7.
Receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) has missed four games, although coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday on Sirius XM radio that McLaurin is on track to practice this week. There was optimism that McLaurin would practice last week, but that changed after they had him train after a light practice on Wednesday.
Quinn said the same about wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who missed Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys due to a hamstring injury. Another receiver, Noah Brown, is on injured reserve and hasn’t played since Week 2 due to a groin injury.
If McLaurin and Samuel return, that would provide a big boost for Mariota. In his two starts, Mariota completed a total of 31 of 48 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He posted a QBR of 68.6.
