There was immense concern among the fan base when Jayden Daniels went out of Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury. The Washington Commanders quarterback has already missed two games this season with a knee problem. And now, reports suggest he is set for another spell on the sidelines.
Washington's season is completely unraveling. Injuries have crippled the Commanders, turning them from a legitimate Super Bowl hopeful to a massive underachiever through seven weeks. Daniels isn't the only leading figure who's been absent, but he is the most pivotal by a considerable margin.
Dan Quinn didn't give too much away in the immediate aftermath of the game. Daniels was getting an MRI, but early indications were that it wouldn't be a long-term issue. However, fans received the news they had been dreading from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network just as preparations for their Monday Night Football showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs were gathering pace.
Jayden Daniels is expected to miss Commanders' prime time game against the Chiefs
The respected insider confirmed that Daniels suffered a low-grade hamstring strain that is expected to keep him out in Week 8. This is the third contest he has missed during the campaign, and veteran understudy Marcus Mariota will get the start once again.
Mariota is one of the league's most accomplished backups, but his influence doesn't compare to what Daniels brings to the table. Kansas City's defense is relentless, led by mastermind coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They have the scope to make things incredibly difficult for the former Oregon standout in the typically intimidating environment of Arrowhead Stadium.
This is the last thing Washington needed, but it always seemed inevitable. Hamstring injuries are challenging to manage, with a high likelihood of recurring unless fully recovered. Considering that Daniels relies so much on dynamism and athleticism, the Commanders must manage his situation with extreme caution.
Now, Mariota will have a solid week of practice with the starting unit. This should hopefully include the wide receiver duo of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr., whom Quinn confirmed should practice this week. That will improve the signal-caller's chances of making an impact, even if it still looks like a tall order.
As for Daniels? He'll go through some rest and rehabilitation. The former LSU sensation will be aiming to get back quickly, which means proving his health in time for another prime time clash at home to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
It's yet another obstacle the Commanders must overcome. And it does nothing to diminish the pessimism currently enveloping the franchise or its loyal fan base.