Jayden Daniels has been the face of the Washington Commanders’ offense since bursting onto the scene as the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Electric, dynamic, and fearless. Daniels has shown all kinds of playmaking that make you forget just how young he is. But he just hit a rough patch. This week, the quarterback was sidelined with a knee injury. So, the spotlight has shifted to the seasoned backup ready to hold the fort. The question: How long will the team wait before risking Daniels’ availability on the field?

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk laid it out clearly. “Jayden Daniels didn’t Wednesday or Thursday. The word all week long is he’ll practice on Friday at the earliest.” Yes, he did, but was limited at the Friday practice session. Florio said, “Hard for him to play without practicing,” quoting Dan Quinn’s own reservations. Even if Jayden Daniels somehow suits up, will he look like the same electric force Commanders fans have clung to? Doubtful. PFT analyst warned, “I think it’s a little harder for the commander to win. If 1 of the most electric and dynamic young players in the NFL isn’t available for them, and even if he does play, is he really going to be himself? Is he gonna be limited? Are you gonna be holding your breath?”

He even referenced the eerie feeling Washington fans had when watching RG3 battle injuries in his rookie year. That same vibe is lurking here. Therefore, Florio advised that it’s better to let Daniels warm the bench until he feels completely fine. “He had that knee injury that happened against the Ravens. And, you know, you just kind of like squeamish every time he comes back in the game. I almost rather give him a little time to heal. Whatever the injury is, my guess would be it’s an MCL, but whatever it is, give it some time to heal. And then you’re not worried about it when he comes back…Go with your backup QB and preserve your franchise QB as long as you can.”

Translation: Bench Jayden Daniels for as long as needed before he can come back and take up the starting QB role.

And the Commanders don’t plan on rushing it either. Coach Dan Quinn made it clear there’s no shortcut this time. “We were going to be very diligent on his return to play and not miss any steps,” he told the reporters. “So we’re going to be smart, not just fast. The player wants to do everything all the time. That’s who he is as a competitor, which I love, but that’s how we’ll roll.” That’s why the QB has been ruled out of the Sunday clash against the Raiders.

The HC praised Daniels’ competitive nature; the player always wants to push through pain. But the coaching staff won’t let that eagerness dictate medical decisions. “I wish I was smarter at that, but I‘m not going to play the doctor. I just can’t. But what I can say, is that when you’re out running on the grass, that’s a good sign that you’re making progress and you’re hitting all the right marks,” Quinn added. Progress is visible, but throwing and game-speed movements require everything from the legs and body. Right now, it’s still too soon. But the next question is, how will Marcus Mariota handle the pressure to keep the offense humming?

Marcus Mariota is ready to start

Marcus Mariota is no stranger to this role. The veteran knows what it means to be the guy who has to pick up where the starter left off. When asked about the chance to start against his former team, the Raiders, Mariota was calm, measured, and professional. “My routine stays the same,” Mariota said. “It just kind of creates that normal procedure for me, and it allows me just to go out there and play and not have to worry about, OK, I got to do this extra, I got to do that. I just kind stick to my process and allow that process to work.”

Mariota’s history with Jayden Daniels showed last season that he can slide in without glitching the offense. With a combined 33 of 41 passes completed for 366 yards and four touchdowns in relief appearances, he proved more than capable. He threw a game-winning touchdown with seconds left against Dallas. A clutch moment that cements his status as a reliable backup.

Mariota respects Daniels’ desire to play but understands the harsh reality of injuries. “If you feel like you can do what you normally do, then go ahead,” he said. “I’ve been in situations like this where you try to fight through it and maybe you’re not playing like yourself, and it is hard. You want to be out there for your team and tough it out. We understand Jayden is going to do everything in his power to play.” Mariota is ready to step up, and the team understands the need to protect their young star. When Daniels is fully ready to be himself on the field again, the Commanders will be prepared. Until then, Mariota will handle the wheel.