Jayden Daniels is moving like a quarterback who expects to play, and the Washington Commanders are banking on that confidence carrying straight into Sunday.
The second-year signal-caller was back on the practice field Wednesday after missing two games, and Washington added more to his workload, including snaps from under center. That matters. It’s another step in the ramp-up, and it keeps the door wide open for Daniels to return this weekend against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium.
Daniels has made his stance pretty clear. In his own words, he is embracing the brace, and he sounded every bit like a player ready to jump back in.
He was apparently ready last week in his mind, but the Commanders chose the cautious route. After another week to heal and get comfortable, the expectation now is that he’ll be back.
That kind of edge showed up in the way he handled media availability, too. Short answers.
No wasted motion. The message was obvious: he’s locked in, and the talking is basically over.
For Washington, that’s exactly what it needs. The Commanders are trying to steady a season that has slipped, and with Marcus Mariota set to miss a couple of weeks, the urgency around Daniels’ return only grows.
Missing two games was enough. Missing more would have been a problem.
Wednesday’s designation as a full participant was a meaningful sign, even if there are still two practice days left to clear. There are risks, of course, and the team may have to adjust how it protects him with the brace in play. But Washington never brought in another quarterback, and the alternatives aren’t nearly as appealing.
The Giants won’t make it easy, even without star edge rusher Brian Burns, who is out with a torn ACL. Daniels knows the kind of defense he’s walking back into, and the Commanders know how much they need him to give their season some life.
That’s the crux of it. Daniels wants the ball.
Washington wants him under center. And after a two-game absence, the finish line is starting to look a lot like kickoff.
In Other News...
Jayden Daniels Return Wont End This Commanders Problem
Jayden Daniels is set to return after missing two games with an elbow injury, which is obviously a lift for Washington as it tries to steady an offense that has been juggling injuries at a few spots. His presence alone changes the conversation at quarterback, and the Commanders are counting on that to help restore some rhythm after a stretch without him.
The wider issue, though, may still be at receiver, where Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs both missed practice with hamstring injuries. McLaurin has already sat out a recent game, and if both wideouts remain limited, Antonio Williams could keep seeing the heavier workload and targets that have made him a more important part of the passing game than anyone expected at this point. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Return Comes With One Big Concern For Commanders Fans
Jayden Daniels is on track to return Sunday against the Giants after missing time with a left elbow injury, giving Washington the kind of lift it badly wanted as it gets back into a regular rhythm. He was a full participant in practice, a strong sign that the Commanders are moving toward getting their quarterback back on the field after a frustrating stretch on the sideline.
The lingering issue is not whether Daniels is close, but how he will feel once the game speed picks back up. Washington is still watching his recovery carefully to make sure he can function comfortably, and the team has not been shy about treating this as a step-by-step process. Dan Quinn said Daniels is expected to start if there are no setbacks, leaving the final bit of confirmation to the weekend itself. [Read more 🡒]
Terry McLaurin Setback Puts Two Commanders Questions Back In Focus
Terry McLaurins hamstring issue is back in the foreground for Washington, and the Commanders are being careful with one of their most important players. He missed a game earlier because of the same problem, and now he has sat out the first two days of practice again as the team takes a cautious approach to his recovery.
The timing only sharpens the bigger questions around McLaurin, who has two years left on his deal and remains central to Washingtons plans. With no guaranteed money remaining and major cap charges ahead, his health and his contract are now intertwined in a way that makes every setback feel a little more consequential for the Commanders. [Read more 🡒]