Jayden Daniels injury update: Ian Rapoport addresses likelihood Commanders QB plays vs. Raiders

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is recovering from a knee sprain suffered during Week 2. His status for this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders remains to be seen.

Daniels did not practice on Wednesday and won’t until at least Friday. Now, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Commanders are taking a cautious approach to their young star’s injury.

“My feel, based on talking to sources involved in this situation, is that the team will err on the side of caution if there is any doubt at all in Jayden Daniels, who is battling a knee sprain, had an MRI after the game and got checked out again,” Rapoport said. “If there is any doubt in the world, if Jayden Daniels is not 100% — do not expect him to play.

“It is a long season. This is a team that does figure to be in the hunt, figures to be there at the end. They want to make sure their young star quarterback is healthy for as long as possible.”

Daniels suffered the injury in the 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. Earlier this week, Washington head coach Dan Quinn said he wanted to make sure Daniels can “absolutely be himself” in order to play this Sunday.

“It starts off first on the strength, the movements,” Dan Quinn said, per ESPN. “Then on the field change direction, the pivoting, the moving, all of those would be the things to go. So, we’ll just take it as it goes through the week, but he’d have to see all of the steps along this week to hit those marks. The speed, the stopping, the change of direction, all of it.”

In two games this year, Daniels has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 85 yards on 18 carries. He aims to build on a 2024 season where he led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

With Daniels not practicing, it was backup Marcus Mariota who spoke with media on Wednesday which is typical for the starting quarterback. Mariota played in three games for Washington last year, throwing for 364 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 92 yards and one score. To Rapoport, all signs are pointing toward Daniels being held out on Sunday.

Kickoff between the Commanders and Raiders is set for 1 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.