The Washington Commanders will be heading into today's game against the Las Vegas Raiders without their starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been sidelined with an injured left knee. Daniels, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, was hurt in Week 2's loss to the Green Bay Packers. According to a report by FOX 5 DC, Daniels sustained the injury after being sacked four times and enduring consistent pressure throughout the game.
Coach Dan Quinn has expressed caution with Daniels' condition, noting that they wouldn't rush his return to play. "We were going to be very diligent on his return to play and make sure we didn’t miss any steps," Quinn stated in a commentary obtained by WTOP. Despite Daniels' limited appearance in Friday's practice, he wasn't quite up to par for the upcoming game. Meanwhile, Marcus Mariota is prepping for his first start since 2022, a return that has teammate Terry McLaurin confident in the team's capabilities without Daniels on the field.
With a string of injuries plaguing the Commanders, Daniels' absence is particularly notable, especially considering the high hopes tied to his performance after last season. The injury report extends beyond the quarterback position, with significant players such as tight end John Bates and receiver Noah Brown also being ruled out for today's match, as explained by WUSA9. The supplemental losses of defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. and running back Austin Ekeler for the season exacerbate the team's situation.
Mariota, who had his struggles with Achilles tendinitis, has declared he's been feeling back to normal for several weeks. Coach Quinn commended Mariota's grasp of the offense, suggesting a seamless transition in Daniels' absence. The Commanders are also expected to lean on rookie seventh-round draft pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt at running back due to Ekeler's injury. This week's practices have been a juggle of attendance as the team prepares for the Raiders, with multiple players working back to full participation by Thursday.
