The Washington Commanders lost to the Indianapolis Colts in London. Worse yet, they lost quarterback Marcus Mariota to a knee injury late in the first quarter.
For the second time in three weeks, hope looks bleak in D.C.
The Commanders need Jayden Daniels to return.
Marcus Mariota injury should speed up Commanders' plans for Jayden Daniels
Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis stepped in for the Commanders and made a few flash plays: a 47-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Treylon Burks and then a 48-yard completion to Dyami Brown on the following drive. But ultimately, he went 15-for-33 and looked uncomfortable in offensive coordinator David Blough's system.
The Commanders could afford to let Daniels rest up with Mariota playing the way he was. Now they need him back.
The NFL is a cruel world. Last week, Washington beat the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and had momentum in its favor. The next two games were winnable. Mariota proved highly dependable with a fantastic Week 3 performance at Northwest Stadium. Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin looked like his old self. And Daniels would be back soon enough.
Then, it all unraveled in London.
McLaurin tweaked his hamstring in practice and missed Week 4. Mariota went down with an MCL injury. The offensive line was a disaster without right guard Sam Cosmi. And the Commanders lost by 17.
Rushing Jayden Daniels back comes with significant risk for the Commanders
Even while Kalaikmanis had his moments, you're not looking at a rookie seventh-round pick as anything more than an emergency option. It's clear the former Rutgers gunslinger is a project, and Washington can't afford to have to start him in a must-win situation next week at home against the New York Giants.
Attention suddenly turns back to Daniels. In exactly the way nobody wanted.
Whether his protection is ideal or not, Daniels will have to play next week if doctors clear him. Had Mariota stayed upright and pulled off another win, it would be a legitimate decision. But now he has no choice, because a veteran hero isn't walking through the door.
It's the last thing the Commanders needed.
Daniels will be forced back into an unenviable situation with a depleted offensive line and likely limited weapons. And if he gets re-injured, Washington's season may as well be over.
But there's no hiding from it. You have to play the games. It's what professional athletes get paid to do, even if it puts their health and safety at risk.
The Commanders' season hinges on getting their franchise passer back and hoping he can survive. That's all there is to it.
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