Jayden Daniels Injury Status: Will Washington QB play in Week 8?

Game day update: The Commanders will need to see how Jayden Daniels is looking in pre-game warmups before making a final decision about his status, per Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter. However, both reporters indicated there is a good chance he plays on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders lead the NFC East with a 5-2 record. Washington will hope to have their starting quarterback available in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. It would mark the first career head-to-head meeting between the number one overall pick, Caleb Williams, and number two overall pick, Daniels.

According to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport, the Commanders listed Jayden Daniels as questionable on Friday’s final injury report. Daniels did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but was a limited participant on Friday. The Commanders put Daniels through a walk-thru and treatment on his rib cartilage. Daniels suffered a rib injury in the first quarter of last week’s win against the Carolina Panthers.

Daniels has been getting around-the-clock treatment and is still fighting through lingering pain in his rib per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Said Russini,

“It will be a collaborative decision from GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, team doctors and team training staff. There will be about five voices helping make the call, and I expect them to take this right up to game time.”

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn also said that the team pushed Jayden Daniels and that the team will evaluate him over the next 48 hours, making him a game-time decision. The Commanders will play the Bears in the later 4:25 p.m. window on Sunday.

What Jayden Daniels injury means for fantasy football
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football this season. As a rookie, Daniels is QB3 through seven weeks and had four consecutive 20-point outings prior to leaving last week’s game. Given Daniels’ special play-making ability that he has shown this year, the Commanders will hope to have their starting quarterback available against a good Bears defense.

The Bears rank second in the NFL in EPA per pass on defense and they have only allowed four passing touchdowns in 2024. It is worth noting that the Bears have defended running quarterbacks well this season. They held Will Levis to four carries for 36 yards in Week 1. Anthony Richardson was held to eight rushing attempts for 24 yards in Week 3.

With Daniels out last week, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota filled in nicely. Mariota finished as the QB9 in Week 7 with 205 yards and two touchdowns. However, that was also against the Panthers defense. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin had six receptions for 98 yards with Mariota and was the WR18 in Week 7. Tight end Zach Ertz also caught a touchdown from Mariota.

Still, the Commanders would like to have their star quarterback available. Daniels’ rushing ability has been reminiscent to that of Lamar Jackson. The rookie quarterback has 372 rushing yards this season and four touchdowns on the ground. It would give them an added dynamic against a tough Bears defense.

If Daniels plays, he is worth a start in fantasy football. He has been one of the most dynamic players in the NFL this season. Commanders pass-catchers won’t have a lot of upside in this game, but Terry McLaurin still warrants a spot as a WR2. With the matchup against the Bears, McLaurin’s upside would take a hit with Mariota in the lineup.