The Commanders Nation altogether skipped a beat as Jayden Daniels went down with an injury. Things are so serious that Dan Quinn can’t vouch for the future and is observing the quarterback’s recovery on a “day-to-day” basis. It’s the tale of the fourth quarter against the aggressive Green Bay defense, which sacked the quarterback four times and hit him six times before he finally ended up with a knee sprain on a tackle. However, a former NFL coach refused to believe that Daniels’ injury was caused by the opponent; instead, he blamed the Commanders’ poor game plan, which he believed compromised the starter. 

Although the second-year QB finished the game, he was seen putting a large ice pack on his knee after the game. He even struggled with walking properly, as evidenced by his limp on the way to the building. It was 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen who revealed that Daniels’ injury was quite serious, sending him for an MRI post-game. So far, while head coach Quinn hasn’t updated with a definite return timeline, he confirmed that Daniels wouldn’t be back until he can “absolutely be himself.” Translation? No compromise on his running ability. And that’s precisely what Jay Gruden claimed caused the injury in the first place. 

“With the pet protection, the way it is right now, he is taking the shots in the pocket. That’s the issue that I have,” said Gruden on 106.7 The Fan. In his opinion, Daniels is being forced to take too many hits while passing from the pocket, which poses a huge risk. Washington’s run game, heavily relying on the quarterback, has made the offense one-dimensional. As a result, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year is dealing with immense pressure to carry the burden through passes. 

“ I would eliminate the quarterback-designed runs. Let him scramble up the middle here and then. slide for a couple yards for maybe a first down. Sure, I think he can do that, but they have to really figure out a way to get this running game going for him to play again so he can take some pressure off of him,” added the former coach. He believes that for Daniels to play effectively and safely, the team needs to reintroduce a balanced attack.

Meaning? More handoffs, quick passing plays, and strategies to get the ball out of the QB’s hands quickly. Things may seem fine, but Gruden is convinced that without an established running game and moving Daniels away from constant pocket pressure, things might get difficult for him upon his return. 

This is something that Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News also reiterated. “The running game (outside of Daniels) also needs to be more consistent, and now will have to do so without Austin Ekeler,” he wrote. Perhaps Quinn should consider listening. 

Jayden Daniels’ availability is uncertain

The knee sprain is shaping up to be the first major injury of Daniels’ NFL tenure. With his status for Week 3 remaining questionable, if he missed, it would mark his first-ever sit-out. However, merely for a speedy return, the Commanders aren’t going to compromise on his recovery. While addressing the media for an injury update, Quinn ensured that the priority for the team is to hit “all the markers” in Daniels’ recovery. So what would be that process?

“It starts off first on the strength, the movements. Then on the field change direction, the pivoting, the moving, all of those would be the things to go,” explained head coach Quinn. Given that, the Commanders wouldn’t have a definite answer until the coming Friday. “We’ll take it all the way to Friday and then have a good idea of where we’re at,” added Quinn.

This isn’t Daniels’ first injury in the league. Last season, in Week 7, he went down with a rip injury and thus left the field in the first quarter. Then in Week 18, he endured a “mild leg soreness,” so he didn’t return for the second half against the Cowboys—‘cause of course the playoffs were more important. As for this season, until his status is confirmed for Week 3, Marcus Mariota is set to fill in his shoes, like he did both times last season.