Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders have a challenge to overcome in a surprisingly non-competitive NFC East this season. Heading into Week 9, the team is on the back foot, trying to establish a winning record and contend for a playoff spot.
Injuries have plagued the roster, and Washington had to do without its star quarterback for parts of the first half of the campaign. As we hit the midway point of the season, let’s look at Daniels’s injury status for this week and whether he’ll play on Sunday night.
Will Jayden Daniels Play Against the Seahawks?
The Commanders posted good news on X on Friday, announcing that Daniels (hamstring) will, in fact, play against the Seahawks in primetime. The news is light at the end of the tunnel for Washington, as the team endured a rough last few weeks.
After their 25-24 home loss against the Chicago Bears, Daniels got injured the following week during the Commanders’ 44-22 defeat at the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys linebacker Shemar James fell into the back of Daniels’ legs, and the sophomore shot-caller stayed down for a while before limping off the field and never returning. Veteran backup Marcus Mariota filled in for the injured star.
5 is back
Jayden Daniels will start Sunday vs. the Seahawks pic.twitter.com/gOIbTKuwtS
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 31, 2025
Daniels underwent an MRI, which confirmed the injury, leaving the team without its primary starter for a second time this campaign. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave word on October 24 that the quarterback might only miss one game, given his recovery.
Mariota took the reins in their 28-7 road beating at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, which left Washington scrambling to stay in contention for the postseason, and we’re only halfway through the season now.
However, this week delivered valuable fruits, as Daniels tested his hamstring and looked good in practice, logging a full session on Wednesday. Heading into Week 9, the Commanders star is the 23rd-ranked quarterback in the league based on PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
His services will come in most handy on Sunday, as they welcome the Seahawks in what should be an exciting NFC showdown. Washington is looking to claw its way back into playoff contention, while Seattle aims to keep up in one of the most competitive divisions this season, the NFC West.
Daniels has some shining to do in primetime, facing a defense that ranks fifth in the league based on PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. Nonetheless, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has proven its mettle this year, so expect a thrilling showdown under the lights.
