Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders (5-2) are heading into one of the year's most exciting matchups as they take on Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears (4-2) on Sunday, but it's been a guessing game all week long when it comes to figuring out if Daniels will actually play.
The rookie sensation suffered a rib injury during the Commanders' Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers (1-6) and didn't practice until Friday. Commanders head coach told reporters afterward that Daniels did everything he could on Friday and that how he responds over the next 48-hours would determine his final outcome. He also participated in Saturday's walkthrough session, which was an encouraging sign.
"That'll guide us, and we'll make the best decision for him and the team," said Quinn.
Early Sunday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that signs are pointing toward Daniels suiting up and playing the Bears when the matchup kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET.
All signs point to Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels playing Sunday against the Chicago Bears, league sources told ESPN.
The Commanders still will need to see how Daniels is feeling Sunday in pregame warmups before making any final determination about whether he can start. But as one team official told ESPN said about Daniels: "He's one tough-ass dude." - Adam Schefter, ESPN
Schefter added Daniels will be a game-time decision. The team will see how he feels once he arrives at the stadium and during pre-game warmups. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Daniels has a "realistic shot" to play, as well.
Commanders need to make sure Jayden Daniels doesn't end up like Robert Griffin III
It's impossible for Commanders fans to not have RGIII on their minds, this week. The former Heisman winner set the league on fire, himself, back in 2012, but late-season injuries ultimately led to his demise.
Griffin injured his knee against the Baltimore Ravens on December 9, which was the 13th game of the season. The injury lingered into the playoffs, where RGIII sported both a knee brace and a noticeable limp as the team took on the Seattle Seahawks in that postseason's Wild Card matchup.
Griffin got hurt, again, during that game and even went to the locker room for evaluation. He reentered the game later on, but the decision marked his undoing as he went on to tear his ACL, LCL, and meniscus a little later.
He was never the same after and the Commanders released him after the 2015 season.
A rib injury obviously isn't in the same ballpark as a knee injury when it comes to the process of handling the situation, nor is this week's game a playoff matchup, but one can't blame Commanders fans for having their own set of worries/nerves. Daniels looks like the real deal and he's already set numerous records over the first seven games of the season. Both rookie records and all-around records - it's been quite the performance, so far.
The Commanders have to be cautious, here, and so far that's been the vibe coming out of Ashburn. Sure, everyone wants to see the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year play against his counterpart in the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, but at the same time, I'm sure they'll be holding their breath during every snap he takes.
