Jayden Daniels injury: Commanders QB to undergo x-rays, questionable to return vs. Panthers

Washington Commanders (4-2) rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels exited the first of quarter of Sunday’s Week 7 home contest against the Carolina Panthers (1-5).

Daniels was in noticeable discomfort after Washington’s first drive, holding his midsection. He went into the blue medical tent to receive further evaluation and came out frustrated, slamming his helmet on the sideline as he walked back into the locker room. Daniels will undergo x-rays and is questionable to return. Marcus Mariota has since replaced Daniels under center.

Jayden Daniels suffered an apparent injury and has been taken into the #Commanders locker room for an X-ray 🙏

He was in obvious pain attempting to throw on the sideline after taking a shot to the ribs. https://t.co/5owoLsgA5apic.twitter.com/WeGRVSLoec

— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) October 20, 2024

Prior to the injury, Daniels guided Washington on an 11-play, 85-yard drive which ended in a 23-yard field goal from Austin Seibert. Daniels was key with his legs on the drive, going for 50 yards on three rushes, including a 46-yard scamper.

Daniels came into Sunday’s game as the overwhelming favorite to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The No. 2 overall pick has thrown for 1,404 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions with a league-leading 75.3% passing. Daniels is third with a 73.7 QBR, and the Commanders own the league’s No. 5 ranked offense.

Commanders hoping for positive news on Jayden Daniels

Daniels has been pivotal to Washington’s emergence this season, and so you can imagine there’s high concern for his status moving forward.

“For me, getting a chance to be around excellent quarterbacks and seeing what it looks like and knowing that we have an excellent quarterback here, it’s fantastic,” head coach Dan Quinn said earlier this week, via Athlon Sports. “I would say the common thread on that is relentless work ethics and I’ve seen it with Jayden. Going back through Dak [Prescott] and Matt [Ryan].

“That is a trait that definitely sticks out to me. There’s just so much preparation that can go in finding the right balance of decision-making, competing, making the plays go. That is a trait that sticks out to me. There’s just so much preparation. I love Jayden and what he brings to us. I can’t wait to see him grow, man. He is absolutely relentless about it.”