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Jayden Daniels out for Commanders game at Chiefs; Marcus Mariota will start
Monday’s game will be the first time Mariota has started opposite Patrick Mahomes; his two starts against the Chiefs, in the 2016 regular season and 2018 postseason, were either before
Mahomes was drafted or during his rookie season, when Alex Smith was Kansas City’s starter.
Mariota went 1-1 as the starter during Daniels’ two-game absence, guiding the Commanders to a dominant win over the Raiders and a loss on the road to the Falcons.
Washington was without its top three receivers in the loss in Dallas — Terry McLaurin (quad), Noah Brown (groin, injured reserve) and Deebo Samuel (heel) — and lost starting defensive end Dorance Armstrong because of a knee injury in the first quarter.
There’s a chance the team gets one, if not both, of its top active receivers back this week. Quinn said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday that McLaurin and Samuel are expected to practice fully this week as they prepare for the Chiefs.
Washington Post (paywall)
Jayden Daniels’s rookie season was a dream. Year 2 is becoming a nightmare.
In two frustrating months, the Commanders’ quarterback has gone from a star on the rise to a weekly question mark because of multiple injuries.
When Daniels has been on the field, his precision passing, electric arm, pocket awareness, turnover avoidance and exceptional running ability have still been on display. But he hasn’t stayed healthy, and injuries — to both him and his teammates — have thrown the Commanders’ campaign off track.
As a rookie, Daniels was clearly the jewel of the 2024 quarterback draft class. He was nearly a unanimous offensive rookie of the year (Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers snagged one first-place vote), and along the way he led the Commanders to victories against No. 1 pick Caleb Williams’s Chicago Bears and No. 9 pick Michael Penix Jr.’s Atlanta Falcons.
This year, Williams bested Daniels in a prime-time matchup, and Penix helped the Falcons top Washington while Daniels was out in Week 4.
Meanwhile, the quarterback from that class getting MVP buzz is the one drafted immediately after Daniels: Drake Maye of the New England Patriots.
Daniels was in that MVP discussion before the season began. Now the talk around him is centered on durability.
Commanders.com
Practice notes | Commanders make defensive changes to help recapture identity
Quinn was visibly displeased with the team’s performance following the Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week. The defense, a sore spot for the team all season, had another poor outing against the Cowboys’ No. 1-ranked offense, which put up 409 yards thanks in part to myriad of explosive plays allowed through the air and on the ground. Quinn said the team was “off course” and promised to take a long, hard look at the cause of the dysfunction.
Quinn didn’t go into specifics, but it seems like the solution is to make smaller adjustments so the players can be faster, less hesitant and more physical.
The goal: make sure the defense is doing what it does best.
“Everything this week that I hit with the team is focus on what we’re doing and probably even more important is the ‘how’ we’re doing it,” Quinn said.
[I]t was clear that Washington was not getting the results it wanted from the defense.
They rank 27th in yards allowed per game and only have three turnovers all season, which is tied for the second fewest in the NFL. Explosive plays were a problem once again in Dallas, which had six plays of at least 15 yards against Washington.
Quinn was blunt about his feelings when he addressed the team on Monday; everyone — coaches and players — needed to step up.
A to Z Sports
Sam Cosmi shines in return
Cosmi has been a fan favorite since he was drafted, and he’s one of the more likable players on the team with his effort and on-field celebrations after a big play. The Commanders’ run in the playoffs last season was special, but Cosmi went down with a serious knee injury against the Detroit Lions that really put a damper on the win. We knew it would be a long road to come back to full health, but Cosmi put his head down and went to work behind the scenes.
The team opened up his 21-day window to return much quicker than anticipated, and he finally made his season debut on Sunday against the Cowboys. It was a successful debut as we all expected, and Cosmi had a flawless day on the field.
He only gave up two pressures in his first game back from a serious knee injury. That’s the kind of performance you have to be proud of, and no one deserves it more than Cosmi.
Cosmi was the missing piece for the offensive line that didn’t start pretty, but finally found its identity. The Commanders traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who has been as advertised all season long, and has already earned an extension in the near future. Chris Paul has been the biggest surprise of the season after taking Brandon Coleman’s spot at left guard and never looking back. Rookie Josh Conerly Jr. also had a rough start at right tackle, but he rode the wave, and he’s been playing much better as the young pup on the team.
Heavy.com
Commanders’ Stars Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Return to Practice
Their return comes at a critical time. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, meaning veteran Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season. Having McLaurin and Samuel available would provide a significant upgrade to the receiving corps — and could help Mariota keep pace with Mahomes and the surging Chiefs offense.
McLaurin has been sidelined since suffering a leg injury during Washington’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, while Samuel missed last week’s game with a bruised heel. Both players have been battling lingering issues that have slowed their recovery, but Thursday’s practice appearances are a strong sign they’re trending in the right direction.
Washington’s passing game has struggled without its top weapons. In last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Mariota was forced to rely on Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and recently signed Robbie Chose — a group that combined for fewer than 100 receiving yards.
The Chiefs’ defense presents one of the toughest challenges in the league. They rank fourth in pass defense, allowing just 174 yards per game through the air this season. Getting both McLaurin and Samuel back would dramatically change the dynamic of Washington’s offense, giving Mariota two proven playmakers who can stretch the field and open up space for [the Commanders’] running backs.
NFL.com
NFL Week 8 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips
Commanders at Chiefs
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN | Matchup rating: 82.4/100
ESPN BET: KC -11.5 (47.5 O/U)
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: The Commanders’ defense continues to struggle. It not only can’t stop anyone, but it has forced only three takeaways this season. In the past four weeks, Washington’s defense ranks 28th in scoring and 29th in total yardage. Coach Dan Quinn said the team has tweaked aspects of the defense but that he did not foresee changes to the starting lineup. The goal, Quinn said, is to get the defense to play faster. “It’s a good process to go through but the result has to be on the field,” Quinn said. He added that the goal is less hesitation, “which increases speed, which increases the ability to go run and hit. That’s the objective.” — John Keim
What we’re hearing on the Chiefs: Led by QB Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have averaged 31.5 points per game over their past four games, which has allowed the defense to get plenty of breaks. The biggest example occurred last week, when the Chiefs had 30 first downs and the Raiders had just 30 plays on offense. “Obviously, it helps us a lot,” LB Nick Bolton said. “I was just joking around with those guys. Just don’t score in three minutes. Keep the eight-minute, nine-minute drives out there, so we’re always fresh. But yeah, man, scoring points, man, I think it’s giving us a lot of juice.” — Nate Taylor
Stat to know: The Commanders have converted 25 of 32 fourth-down attempts (78%) under Quinn since 2024. That’s the best conversion rate in the NFL over that span, though they’re converting at a 55.6% clip this season (19th). — ESPN Research
Injuries: Commanders | Chiefs
Betting nugget: The Commanders are 1-6 ATS in their past seven road games. Read more. — ESPN Research
ESPN
A look at the surprisingly competitive NFC East
Reason for hope: They still have quarterback Jayden Daniels. As punter Tress Way said earlier this season, with him on their side they always have a chance. But more on him below.
A big part of Washington’s hope rests upon the return of multiple players on offense who can make a difference, notably receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. McLaurin has been a nonfactor, having missed four consecutive games with a right quad injury. But he has been a key part of Washington’s offense since entering the NFL in 2019, with five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
The passing attack has been inconsistent, but having McLaurin and Samuel, who missed the Week 7 loss at Dallas with a bruised heel, could help offset a woeful defense and give the team life down the stretch.
Biggest surprise, good or bad: How bad the defense has been. Yes there have been some injuries — both starting defensive ends are now done for the season and strong safety Will Harris is on injured reserve with a fractured fibula, though he might return this season. However, the group has not played with any level of consistency and good offenses continually hurt them. If it’s not missed tackles, it’s miscommunication in coverage or poor run fits or simply getting beat down the field.
The Commanders rank 21st in scoring and 27th in yards — over the past four weeks they’re 28th and 29th, respectively. Only Miami has allowed more plays of 15 yards or more this season.
QB breakdown: Daniels has not had the season he or the team hoped, but it’s due to injuries and missing key help in the passing game, not from any so-called sophomore slump. Not only has McLaurin missed four games, but as a result of his holdout/hold-in that caused him to miss all of training camp, he and Daniels started the season out of sync.
Their third-best receiver, Noah Brown, missed four games with a groin injury before finally being placed on injured reserve, and third-down back Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2 and also is done.
Daniels missed two games with a knee injury and then hurt his hamstring in Week 7 vs. Dallas, which will sideline him against the Chiefs on Monday night. His completion percentage compared to last year is down (from 69% to 61%); he’s thrown for 1,031 yards, eight touchdowns and a pick, while rushing for 211 yards and another score. His pace is comparable to last year’s, but he has also spent the season throwing mostly to backup receivers, so the dynamic impact is different.
Positional need for potential trade? Oh, man. Thanks to injuries, the Commanders need a lot of help, but they should be getting key players back on offense. Otherwise, I’d say receiver. They need help in the secondary as well, someone who can make plays. But they just lost their third defensive end for the season, including both starters (Deatrich Wise Jr., and Dorance Armstrong, who led them in sacks). The position has been depleted.
Out of necessity they need more help up front — can it be two trades? Besides, they have only two ends under contract for next season, so if they added a quality starter signed through 2026, that could also eliminate an offseason need.
ESPN
Best, worst 2025 NFL offseasons: Tiers for all 32 teams
Slightly below expectations
Washington Commanders
Highlights: Trading for OT Laremy Tunsil, drafting seventh-round RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Disappointments: Drafting first-round OT Josh Conerly Jr., re-signing LB Bobby Wagner (one year, $8 million)
After a fantastic 2024 campaign, this season could be considered a heat check for Commanders general manager Adam Peters. His shot might have clanked off the rim. It has been a tough year for the Commanders, who have seen many of the players they expected to build around in 2025 either show age-related decline too quickly or regress in their second season with the team.
The Washington O-line hasn’t been great, but that generally hasn’t been because of Tunsil, who has been above average in pass protection. Conerly, his counterpart on the right side, struggled badly early in the season and might have been a candidate to hit the bench. The first-round pick has allowed 5.5 sacks, which ranks second among NFL right tackles, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Other veterans haven’t lived up to expectations. The secondary as a whole has been a massive disappointment, with second-year corner Mike Sainristil taking a step backward and Marshon Lattimore giving up big plays on what seems like a weekly basis. In terms of players who moved this offseason, though, it has been tough to see the 35-year-old Wagner struggle to keep up in coverage, where he has allowed a 124.7 passer rating in coverage. The future Hall of Famer is still one of the league’s soundest tacklers, but offenses have exploited his lack of range.
Pro Football Focus
NFL Week 8 Preview: Schedule, storylines, matchups to watch and betting spreads
Matchup to watch: Commanders CB Mike Sainristil vs Chiefs WR Rashee Rice
Rice dominated the short field in his return in Week 6, catching seven of nine targets for 42 yards and two touchdowns and compiling an 86.5 overall PFF grade in the 31-0 win against the Raiders. The former SMU star will feature prominently in the slot against the Commanders, facing off against CB Mike Sainristil (53.2 grade; 88th).
Sainristil has struggled at times in 2025, allowing 278 yards in coverage (13th-most), and 144 of those yards have come when playing out of the slot (2nd-most). Rice will likely be the fulcrum of the Chiefs’ passing game, and the Commanders corner will have his work cut out.
Podcasts & videos
Kansas City Defense + Patrick Mahomes Deep Dive | Film Breakdown | Washington Commanders | NFL
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Big Blue View
Giants-Eagles, Week 8 Q&A: Philly won’t be surprised this time
The Eagles know the Giants are no longer a joke, no matter what their record is.
How does the presence of Jalen Carter change the Philly defense?
BLG: Carter hasn’t quite had the season the Eagles were hoping to see from him thus far. It’s fair to wonder how much he’s been impacted by last year’s massive workload. Including the playoffs, Carter played the most snaps of any NFL defensive lineman. And those were really labor-intensive snaps considering he was often double-teamed.
But while the consistency that the Eagles would like to see hasn’t been there, the high-impact potential is still present. Look no further than how he instantly beat the Vikings’ center to help force Carson Wentz into a pick-six last week. Carter blocked a field goal attempt in Week 3.
Carter has been playing through some nagging issues this year, so, he could probably really use the bye week. If he’s able to get going, that’ll be a massive development for the Eagles’ defense.
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles Injury Report: A.J. Brown misses practice again
The Eagles listed four players under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: A.J. Brown, Cam Jurgens, Adoree’ Jackson, and Azeez Ojulari.
Missing two practices in a row typically points to players not being able to play.
That being said, Brown was seen doing some rehab work on a side field. Also, Jeff McLane reported on Wednesday that Brown is “tracking toward playing Sunday.” But the Eagles opening Darius Cooper’s practice window seemingly indicates that Brown might not be available. We’ll see if Brown is able to get any work in or not on Friday.
Jurgens’ expected absence means it could be Brett Toth starting at center. Toth was lined up in Jurgens’ spot during Thursday’s media-attended portion of practice. Landon Dickerson remained at left guard.
Jackson’s expected absence means either Kelee Ringo or Jakorian Bennett (assuming he’s healthy enough to be activated from injured reserve) could start at cornerback on Sunday.
Ojulari’s expected absence leaves the Eagles with three healthy edge rushers on the active roster
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NFL.com
Kevin O’Connell: If J.J. McCarthy is healthy, he’ll play
Thursday night’s blowout loss to the Chargers was the fifth straight game that the Vikings played without quarterback J.J. McCarthy and watching Carson Wentz try to battle through injury throughout the night raised the question of whether it is the right time to go back to McCarthy.
McCarthy has been healthy enough to serve as the team’s emergency quarterback the last two weeks and head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments in his postgame press conference suggested that the team will use their extended break before facing the Lions to finish the process of moving McCarthy back into the starting lineup.
