When Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned last week after missing 3 months with turf toe — and did so in the middle of what many consider another lost season for his team — he kind of laid down the gauntlet for how an NFL quarterback needs to approach returning from injury.
That is, be a warrior.
“I’m not going to ever go to somebody and say, ‘yeah, I’m healthy, but I don’t think I should play,’ ” Burrow said before leading his team to a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I’m not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening. … Yeah, I’ve had injuries. It’s not a lot I can do about that.”
Washington Commanders quarterback and fellow LSU product Jayden Daniels seems to be cut from that same cloth. He also seems on track to return and lead his 3-9 team in a Week 14 road game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“Commanders QB Jayden Daniels fully practiced today,” Sleeper HQ’s Brandon wrote on his official X account. “This is the first time he practiced fully since dislocating his elbow. It is possible that he plays this week vs the Vikings.”
Daniels’ Season Defined by Injuries, Bad Play
Daniels has seen his sophomore season defined by injuries and his own questionable play — he’s 2-4 in games he started.
Most notably, Daniels’ play in a 25-24 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6 comes directly to mind.
Daniels bumbled a handoff to rookie Jacorey Croskey-Merritt with the Commanders leading 24-22 with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter to set up a game-winning, 38-yard field goal by Chicago’s Jake Moody as time expired. Daniels had 3 turnovers against the Bears and that didn’t count the fumbled handoff to Croskey-Merritt, which also appeared to be Daniels’ fault.
After looking like one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks as a rookie in 2024 and leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991, Daniels showed little to show he’s that type of player in 2025.
The game against the Bears stood out because it was a rematch of the Hail Maryland game from 2024 and featured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams against Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick.
“Jayden Daniels chokes away the game for the Commanders,” PolyMarket Football wrote on its official X account on October 13. “The sophomore is struggling.”
Mariota’s Valiant Effort in Week 13 OT Loss
It’s saying something that the Commanders are coming off their best performance of the year and it still resulted in a 27-26 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, who won their ninth consecutive game.
No one was better for the Commanders than veteran backup Marcus Mariota, who threw for 294 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception to go with 10 carries for 55 yards.
Now, Daniels returns to a team that is on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with a month left in the regular season.
From Bleacher Report: “The 2025 season for the Commanders has been a huge disappointment, with injuries to key players largely at the center of their struggles. After reaching the NFC Championship Game last season, the Commanders could be eliminated from playoff contention as soon as Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Even if they manage to win that game, the Philadelphia Eagles not losing on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers will knock them out.”
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