Concern grows for Jayden Daniels as quarterback misses Commanders practice due to rib injury

Jayden Daniels missed Washington Commanders practice on Wednesday as concern grows about his availability for this weekend.

The Commanders are due to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday, which will be a battle between the top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft.

Daniels went at No. 2 but will be hoping to beat No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams on home soil.

However, his chances of featuring dropped on Wednesday after it was announced he would miss practice because of the rib injury he suffered against the Carolina Panthers. 

Marcus Mariota took Daniels’ spot and the starter’s reps Wednesday in preparation for a possible start Sunday.

‘He’ll get the treatment today and he’ll continue to progress today and tomorrow,’ Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. ‘I’ll update you guys after Friday’s practice, and we’ll go from there.

‘You guys have all been around Jayden. Anybody, anywhere, anytime – is really the mindset for him. At his core, one of the things I admire about him is readiness, ready to go prove it.’

Daniels was hurt on the first offensive play for the Commanders in a 40-7 win over the Panthers. The victory improved Washington’s record to 5-2.

Daniels injured his ribs at the end of a 46-yard run on the team’s first snap. He stayed in the game and the drive ended in a field goal before Mariota relieved him.

Daniels injured his ribs at the end of a 46-yard run on the team’s first snap of last week’s game

Daniels has six touchdown passes and four rushing TDs this season.

Quinn said Daniels is ‘close’ to being ready to practice. How he practices and Quinn’s inexact measure of whether Daniels is ‘himself, fully turnt up’ dictates what will happen from there.

‘He’s close to there, the practice field is the next step of that,’ Quinn said. 

I want to make sure he can be, fully express himself and do all the things he does that make him so unique and special. That’s what we’ll do, not much different than any other player.’