The Washington Commanders won without Jayden Daniels on Sunday, but they are unlikely to have the same success without him in the coming weeks.
With that in mind, Commanders coach Dan Quinn issued an update on the franchise quarterback’s potential return for Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Daniels missed the first start of his NFL career with a knee sprain, but the Commanders (2-1) improved to 2-0 at Northwest Stadium with a 41-24 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Led by Marcus Mariota’s 15-for-21, 207-passing-yard, 40-rushing-yard and two touchdown performance, in his first start in almost two years, Washington shook off its first loss of the year against the Green Bay Packers.
But Washington’s upcoming slate is about to get tougher, with four of its next five games away from home, including road dates against the Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs and a home game against the upstart Chicago Bears in the middle.
What Did Dan Quinn Say About Jayden Daniels’ Status For Sunday?
Quinn was asked straight up about Daniels’ availability and to provide an update as one of the first question of his post-victory media availability Monday.
“We’re still listing him as day to day,” Quinn said. “As we get into Wednesday, I’ll be more qualified to hit on what types of practice and what we can hit on. He went through some things [Monday], some more [Tuesday] and that’ll lead us up into Wednesday.”
Daniels, of course, is more effective as a dual-threat rusher and passer, especially with running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon. That the Commanders are taking their time while developing a plan of recovery for their superstar QB shouldn’t be surprising.
“When we get together prior to practice, I’ll have a better idea for the plan,” Quinn said. “We have not nailed that down yet.”
Should Marcus Mariota Start Sunday?
There are a slew of reasons why Daniels getting an extra week off would be beneficial — though the caveat is of course the Commanders are better with Daniels at the helm than Mariota.
- The game is being played on the artificial surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is less forgiving on lower extremities than a game on grass would be.
- The Falcons defense has been tough this season but did just allow 30 points in their shutout loss against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte. Atlanta ranks just 10th in the NFL in rushing-yards against per game (96.3), which could lead to Mariota and top running back Bill Croskey-Merritt feasting.
- Mariota, of course, also has history with the Falcons, just as he did with the Raiders — making another potential revenge game for the second pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played 13 games for Atlanta, going 5-8 in 13 starts in 2022.
- The Falcons are 1-2 with losses to the Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have a minus-17 point differential. The Commanders could beat Atlanta without Daniels.
- Daniels’ overall health is the most important thing to the Commanders, and if he isn’t 100 percent, Washington should certainly not risk a more serious injury on a Week 4 game.
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