The latest injury update on Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniel all but indicates that he will not be starting against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Daniels wasn't able to practice on Wednesday and Thursday for the Commanders after suffering a rib injury against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. On Thursday, the reporting was that Daniels would make an attempt to practice on Friday with the Commanders but it seems that he wasn't able to participate.
Three QBs are now out here. Jayden Daniels not get among them.
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 25, 2024
The only thing that is left now is the official confirmation from Commanders head coach Dan Quinn that Daniels will not be playing on Sunday against the Bears.
The Chicago Bears won't have to deal with Jayden Daniels on Sunday.
The highly anticipated matchup between Daniels and Caleb Williams will now have to wait until a future season. That is if the Bears and Commanders do not play each other during a potential playoff game this January.
For the Bears, the game against the Commanders serves as their first test since playing the Houston Texans in Week 2. Even with Daniels appearing to be out for Sunday's game, Marcus Mariota is in the upper tier of backup quarterbacks across the NFL.
.@BaldyNFL warns Bears fans:
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) October 25, 2024
Don't sleep on Marcus Mariota. pic.twitter.com/rRyYCwJpth
The last time Mariota played the Bears was with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. Against Matt Eberflus' defense, Mariota completed 13 of 20 passes for a total of 131 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Mariota and the Falcons defeated the Bears in that game 27-24. Mariota also added 25 rushing yards and a rushing score in that game as well.
Of course, the 2024 Bears' defense is a much better unit than the 2022 Bears' defense following the trades of Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn. Not to mention, the Bears will have Montez Sweat on their defensive line for Sunday's matchup against Mariota and the Commanders.
UPDATE 11:30 AM -- Dan Quinn states Jayden Daniels did practice on Friday.
#Commanders coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Jayden Daniels did wind up practicing today and "we really pushed it"
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 25, 2024
They'll evaluate his status over the next 48 hours, but could be determined on Sunday.
Despite previous reports suggesting Daniels did not practice, Quinn seemed to suggest that the rookie quarterback was able to get some work in on Friday. It reads more as final attempt at gamesmanship bit Daniels hasn't been officially ruled out for Sunday's game.