Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a sprained knee. He picked up the injury in the team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
Daniels was seen after the game with his knee wrapped, but he told teammates, "I'm straight," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The knee sprain hasn't been guaranteed to keep him out of action in Week 3 against the Raiders, but there has been a lingering chance.
To start the week, his status for the game was regarded as "uncertain," and it has depended on how much work he was able to do during the week, and he suffered any setbacks, which helped determine his status for the weekend.
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Here is more on whether or not Daniels is playing in Week 3.
Is Jayden Daniels playing this week vs. Raiders?
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Jayden Daniels officially will not play against the Raiders in Week 3, adding that Marcus Mariota will get the start under center.
Until that point, it had been officially uncertain whether or not Daniels would play, but surely not tracking in the right direction.
The second-year quarterback had his knee wrapped following the Week 2 loss on Thursday night, but the diagnosis of a sprained knee didn't get released until the following Monday afternoon. Washington and Las Vegas will play on Sunday, so the quarterback has had extra time to rest up for the game.
Daniels hasn't yet practiced this week, which didn't bode well for his chances of playing. He was not spotted at practice on Friday, per Adam Schefter, signaling that he wouldn't play Sunday against the Raiders.
Quinn made that official on Friday, with Daniels sidelined for Week 3.
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Jayden Daniels injury update
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Daniels received an MRI on his knee, which revealed a knee sprain.
Head coach Dan Quinn talked about Daniels in a Monday presser. He said, "Here's what I know-- he did have an MRI and he's already begun his return to play process with us. He is truly day-to-day. What does that mean for Sunday? I can't tell you that now. I'll share more when we get to Wednesday. But in the return to play, he and all of the guys have to hit all of the markers."
Quinn said on Wednesday that Daniels had a good rehab session, but that the quarterback will not practice in any capacity until Friday at the earliest. However, Daniels still did not practice Friday, the latest sign that he'd be sidelined for Week 3.
Daniels' injury has paved the way for the Commanders to turn to their QB2 in Week 3.
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Who is Jayden Daniels backup?
Daniels' backup is Marcus Mariota. He'll get the start on Sunday against Las Vegas, which is a revenge matchup for him as he spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Raiders.
The Tennessee Titans initially drafted Mariota with the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota couldn't translate his college success to the NFL, and bounced around the league. He has been with the Commanders since 2024, providing a veteran presence to Daniels.
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Commanders QB depth chart
| Position | Player Name |
| 1 | Jayden Daniels |
| 2 | Marcus Mariota |
| 3 | Josh Johnson |
With Daniels set to miss the Week 3 game against the Raiders, Mariota will get the start.
Johnson will likely be elevated from the emergency third quarterback to the backup as well.