Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is considered week to week with a rib injury ahead of their Week 8 clash with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Monday.
Quinn said the rookie's injury is not a long-term issue and that Washington is hopeful Daniels can play this week.
"We'll take him through all the steps at practice and assess how he's doing and keep working it through that," Quinn explained. "We're hopeful he can play, but we'll also make sure to take every precautionary step and do it smartly for the player and the man."
Daniels' injury is not considered to be serious but does require treatment and will be monitored throughout the week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.
Daniels suffered the rib injury in the first quarter of Sunday's 40-7 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers. Marcus Mariota filled in for Daniels in his absence,
A top candidate for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Daniels has been a lightning rod for the long-dormant Commanders franchise this season. In leading Washington to a 5-2 record and a lead in the NFC East through seven weeks, the No. 2 overall pick has completed a league-high 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two picks. Daniels has also added 372 yards and four scores on the ground.
Mariota, a longtime veteran and himself a former No. 2 selection, was solid as an understudy on Sunday, completing 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two TDs, adding 34 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Though, as much as Mariota can dutifully fill in for the rookie, the Commanders -- and the league entire -- is surely hoping Daniels can heal up in time for Sunday. The Commanders-Bears game is set to pit Daniels against Williams in a battle of the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and the favorites for the OROY award; just last week, the matchup was flexed into the late window (4:25 p.m. ET) out of anticipation for the head-to-head contest.
However, it appears Washington will take the long-term approach to Daniels' health this week, prioritizing the rookie's functionality over a potential blockbuster bout.
"He's such a unique player that I want to make sure he can be him fully in his own way," Quinn said of Daniels, "I know he'll do everything he can, but I'll trust my eyes. Like I said, we'll take it every step of the way."
