Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels exited the team’s Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter. Here’s the latest on the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite.
What Happened to Jayden Daniels?
Daniels took a hit on the Commanders’ first drive, which didn’t appear to be anything serious. However, he was in obvious discomfort on the sideline and was getting work on his midsection in between drives.
Jayden Daniels in some discomfort on the Commanders sideline, per @EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/7eGbQAb1UC
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS)
After the Commanders took over following an Andy Dalton interception, Daniels headed to the locker room, with Marcus Mariota taking over to begin the second series.
The Commanders announced that Daniels suffered a rib injury. Fox Sports reported that Daniels received X-rays on his injury.
Late in the first half, Daniels’ mother Regina Jackson tweeted out an encouraging update about Daniels prior to any official word on the severity of his rib injury.
He's fine #httc
— Mz Jackson (@LovelyMzJackson)
However, even with the positive development, the Commanders announced that Daniels would not return.
Daniels did return to the sideline out of uniform to join his teammates, smiling and waving to the crowd throughout the remainder of Washington’s blowout victory.
A smiling Jayden Daniels returns to the sideline pic.twitter.com/bYuuJc9oOT
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS)
On Monday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Daniels is week-to-week, and the team is hopeful that he’ll be able to play in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
“The status for Jayden [is] week-to-week,” Quinn said. “As you guys know, it’s a rib injury, and we’ll take him through all of the steps at practice and assess how he’s doing and keep working through that. We’re hopeful that he can play, but we’ll also make sure to take every precautionary step and do it smartly for the player and the man.
“It’s not gonna be something that’s gonna knock him out long-term. Like I said, we’re going to list it as week-to-week, and, like I said, hopefully he plays this week.”
HC Dan Quinn provides a status update on QB Jayden Daniels: pic.twitter.com/Bffwl6EJPo
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders)
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Monday morning that initial tests showed no fractures and that he would undergo further tests that would provide more clarity.
Daniels finished his day with 50 rush yards on three attempts while completing both of his pass attempts for six yards.
Fantasy Impact of Jayden Daniels’ Injury
Moving forward, if Daniels is out for any period of time, this would be one of the most devastating injuries in both fantasy and real-life football.
Daniels entered Week 7 as the QB3 by points per game, trailing only Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. His rushing ability gave him the coveted combination of a high floor and a high ceiling, and there are very few quarterbacks that can replicate that.
The rest of Washington’s offense would take a massive hit as well. Terry McLaurin is the WR19 by PPR points per game, emerging as a steady weekly starter with stable quarterback play. McLaurin had four touchdowns in his first six games, equaling his 2023 season total in 17 games. He would still be a potential flex play but no longer a dependable weekly option.
Washington is already one of the more prolific rushing offenses, so Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler would continue to see significant work. However, part of the Commanders’ ground game success is tied to the threat of Daniels’ legs creating more space in read-option looks. Mariota can simulate some of that, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as the rookie.
As such, the best offense by points per drive through six weeks would suddenly revert back to a below-average unit if Daniels is out.