Will Jayden Daniels play this week? Latest Week 8 injury updates on Commanders QB

Admin October 25, 2024

One of the marquee matchups on the NFL’s Week 8 schedule is the battle between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders.

The contest could feature the first-ever battle between the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft – Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels – and potentially give one the early edge in the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year race.

However, Daniels’ status for Sunday’s game is in flux. He is dealing with a rib injury that knocked him out of Washington’s Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers, so the rookie may be a true, game-time decision for the anticipated clash of NFC playoff contenders.

Here’s what to know about Daniels’ injury and whether he can suit up in Week 8 against the Bears.

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Will Jayden Daniels play this week vs. Bears?

The Commanders officially ruled Daniels “questionable” ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Bears.

Daniels missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of the rib injury that knocked him out of the team’s Week 7 win over the Panthers. Per head coach Dan Quinn, the rookie phenom returned to practice Friday in a limited fashion, which was always the team’s hope.

“We followed the plan that we set at the start of the week,” Quinn told reporters during a post-practice news conference on Friday. “We will assess how he responds to the work that we did [over] the next 48 hours. But we really pushed it today.”

Quinn also noted that the Commanders will “make the best decision for him and the team” when assessing Daniels’ status. And the 48-hour timeline will likely render Daniels a game-time decision for Washington’s showdown with Chicago, which begins at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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Daniels acknowledged to reporters during a media availability that he was “feeling good” ahead of the game.

“I want to play, but [that’s] not my decision,” Daniels said with a smile.

Daniels also noted that Washington’s trainers “feel confident” in his recovery and trust that the team will not rush him back just to put him on the field.

“They wouldn’t put me in any position they wouldn’t feel comfortable in for my future, and I wouldn’t put myself in that predicament either,” Daniels said.

Who is Jayden Daniels’ backup on Commanders QB depth chart?

If Daniels can’t play against the Bears, veteran signal-caller Marcus Mariota will get to start.

Mariota was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and is with his fifth different NFL team. He has a 34-40 record in 74 career starts but has completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in limited action during the 2024 NFL season.

Below is a full look at Washington’s quarterback room: