Grant Paulsen keeps coming back to the same point, and he didn’t back off on Wednesday: Jayden Daniels should be on the field Saturday against the Lions.
On his 106.7 The Fan Show with co-host Danny Rouhier, Paulsen argued that the extra practice work Daniels has gotten because of Marcus Mariota’s injury is helpful, but not enough to replace actual game action.
"I get that he has gotten a lot more reps this week because of the Mariota injury this week,” expressed Paulsen on his 106.7 The Fan Show with co-host Danny Rouhier. “That’s very true; I have seen it with my own eyes. That’s a fact.”
Paulsen’s point was simple. Practice can help, but it still isn’t the same as stepping into a live game, hearing the call in the helmet, and running the offense under real pressure.
"But I just don’t know that the reps equate to the same thing that game reps would be. It’s almost irrelevant for me how many practice reps he is going to get.
Have you ever gotten a call into your helmet in a game from David Blough? The answer is no; let’s change that.”
He kept pressing the same theme, saying Daniels needs a real tune-up before Washington opens the season.
"Have you ever run this offense in a game? The answer is no.
Let’s change that. Before the Eagles.”
The Eagles are Washington’s opener, and Paulsen wants Daniels to get at least one live run before that matchup.
“Just once, let’s go through the motions in a lower-stakes situation, is where I am at,” stated Paulsen. “Have you played more than twice since Halloween?
The answer is no. Let’s change that before you have to take on a defense that I actually think might end up being the best in football this year in Philly.”
The argument makes sense on paper. The problem is that the Commanders are already dealing with the kind of preseason damage that changes how teams think about these games.
Last Friday night against the Dolphins, Washington lost Mariota to a sprained MCL, and the team believes he should be back for the regular season. They also lost RB Jerome Ford to a hamstring injury serious enough to land him on injured reserve. And the biggest blow came on defense, where Johnny Newton tore a pectoral muscle and will be out for a significant time.
So yes, Paulsen’s case is logical. Daniels could use the reps. The Lions game would give him a chance to shake off the rust before Philly.
But after the injuries Washington has already taken in games that don’t count, the real question is whether Dan Quinn wants to put his rookie quarterback in that spot at all.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]