Jayden Daniels’ Status Still Unclear as Commanders Enter Final Stretch
Jayden Daniels won’t be suiting up this weekend against the New York Giants, and based on the latest from head coach Dan Quinn, it’s fair to say the rookie quarterback may not see the field again this season. With just three games left and Daniels still limited in practice, Washington’s quarterback situation remains as murky as ever.
And for some fans, that might not be the worst thing.
Daniels returned to action recently against the Vikings, but it was a rough outing. Not only did the offense struggle, but Daniels aggravated his already-injured elbow while trying to chase down a defender after throwing a pick. Though he was reportedly cleared to return, Quinn chose to keep him sidelined for the rest of the game - a move that made sense given how things were trending.
Now, the Commanders are back in a holding pattern. Daniels was ruled out for Week 15 almost immediately after the Minnesota game, and while he’s still participating in practice on a limited basis, he hasn’t been cleared for contact. That’s the key hurdle, and with the season winding down, time is running out for any sort of late-season redemption arc.
This situation has come to reflect the broader narrative of Washington’s 2025 season - full of promise, but ultimately bogged down by inconsistency, injuries, and frustration. Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in April, came in with sky-high expectations after a standout college career at LSU. But between a knee sprain, a hamstring strain, and now a dislocated elbow, his rookie campaign has been stop-and-start from the jump.
He’s played in just seven games. The Commanders have only won two of them.
His completion percentage is down, and his QBR has taken a steep dive - nearly 28 points lower than his early-season highs. And while it’s clear the injuries have played a major role, the lack of rhythm and continuity has been glaring.
Daniels is a competitor. There’s no question he wants to be out there, battling through the pain and trying to build something positive before the offseason hits. But the Commanders are 3-10, and with their playoff hopes long gone, the question becomes: what’s the upside in rushing him back?
Quinn made it clear that Daniels’ health will dictate the next steps. That’s the right approach.
But for fans watching from the outside, the weekly uncertainty has become exhausting. Each update feels like déjà vu - a limited practice here, a non-contact designation there, and another weekend without their franchise quarterback.
The Commanders are right to be cautious. They’re not in a position to take risks with their most valuable asset.
But the lack of clarity - and the lack of progress - is wearing thin. It’s been that kind of season in Washington.
A year that started with optimism, a fresh coaching staff, and a top-tier rookie QB now feels like it’s limping to the finish line.
Daniels has the talent. That much hasn’t changed.
But for now, it’s a waiting game. And with three games left, it’s fair to wonder if we’ll see him again before the curtain closes on a frustrating 2025 campaign.