Jayden Daniels diagnosed with knee sprain; Week 3 status for Commanders in doubt
MRI and follow-up exam leave Washington’s starting quarterback uncertain for Sunday’s game against the Raiders; Marcus Mariota preparing to step in if needed
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, raising doubt about his availability for the team’s Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the team said Monday.
Daniels played the entire Thursday night loss at Green Bay but underwent an MRI after the game. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport said the scan, plus a follow-up visit to the team doctor on Monday, produced a diagnosis that leaves his status for Sunday’s game uncertain. The Commanders are 1-1.
The 24-year-old was pressed heavily at Lambeau Field, where he was hit 12 times, sacked four times and finished with 17 rushing yards in Washington’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Team officials said the knee sprain is not expected to be a long-term issue, but it could affect short-term plans behind center.
If Daniels cannot play, veteran Marcus Mariota is expected to take the snaps. Mariota, a 2015 No. 2 overall pick, has not started a game since 2022 but has extensive experience; he has started 74 games over an 11-year career. Last season he appeared in relief for the Commanders on three occasions, completing 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
Daniels burst onto the NFL scene as a dual-threat rookie in 2024, throwing for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions and rushing for 891 yards with six scores while leading Washington to a 12-5 record and the NFC Championship Game. He has started every game since his NFL debut at the start of last season.
Through two starts this season, Daniels has thrown for 433 yards and three touchdowns and added 85 rushing yards. The potential absence of Daniels would further limit Washington’s offense in the short term; the team also lost a veteran running back to a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener.
After the loss in Green Bay, Daniels downplayed concern, saying, “I wouldn’t expect anyone in this locker room to hit the panic button. We faced a really good team, and we came up short. So, we’re moving on to the next game.” The team’s coaches and medical staff will make a final determination on his availability as Sunday’s game approaches.
The Commanders face the Raiders on Sunday. The club did not provide a definitive timetable for Daniels’ return and said it would update his status after further evaluation. Washington’s handling of the quarterback situation will shape its short-term outlook as it seeks to respond after a 1-1 start to the season.