Jayden Daniels is back Sunday, so what sort of lift can he provide the Washington Commanders?
Sunday, the Commanders host NFC East leader/rival the NY Giants at Northwest Stadium at 1 p.m. ET. The Giants enter the contest 3-1, while Washington is at the bottom of the division, the only team with one win (1-3). The Commanders have lost Marcus Mariota for at least a couple of weeks after he sprained an MCL in the first quarter against the Colts in London.
So, starter Jayden Daniels returns. This immediately has two sides to the coin. Yes, many are excited to have Daniels back in the lineup. However, others are understandably concerned because they don’t know what Jayden they’ll get on Sunday. What we do know is Daniels will wear a brace more restrictive
than the one he wore last November when he dislocated his elbow against the Seahawks.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was asked Friday what kind of a lift he (Daniels) can provide. Quinn didn’t take long to respond. “Command at the line, that’s one for sure. His playmaking ability and his third- and fourth-down running with his legs. All of those are part of what makes him special in that way.”
Yes, the 2024 Daniels was nothing short of amazing, running Kliff Kingsbury’s offense masterfully. In every game that season, Daniels was called for runs, and he excelled not only by passing for 3,568 yards but also by leading the team in rushing with 891 yards, six rushing touchdowns, and a team-high 64 rushing first downs.
But Daniels will be wearing that brace, so how comfortable will he be carrying the ball to his left side? How comfortable will he be running to his right with the ball when his left arm can’t break his fall? So, will offensive coordinator David Blough aim to have Daniels in a pocket all day?
Jayden Daniels in action. Note: he did catch the ball with two hands later. Also took snaps again. As he has been doing since last week. pic.twitter.com/pQsD8Gm5L8
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 9, 2026
“I love the accuracy that he throws with,” added Quinn. “And a good job, obviously, like taking care of the ball. That’s going to be at a premium in this game.”
As far as Daniels backup this week? Quinn wouldn’t come out and declare what the Commanders will do this week with two or three quarterbacks active. “Yes, we got a lot still to figure out on the roster through this afternoon. (to Sunday) but we will work through all of that.”
With Mariota out this week, Athan Kaliakmanis will, for the second consecutive week, serve as the Commanders’ backup quarterback, as he did last week when he was forced into action in the first quarter of his NFL debut. Sam Hartman could be elevated to the third-quarterback role if the first two are injured Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Dan Quinn on what type of lift Jayden Daniels brings vs Giants
