Jayden Daniels is facing more concerns about his health. The Washington Commanders gave their franchise quarterback the all-clear to participate in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, but it quickly became another unmitigated disaster.
Daniels never got going. The Vikings' defense smothered him, and there was nothing he could do to turn the tide. And even before he went down on his injured arm following an interception, the examples of the signal-caller's recklessness were there for all to see.
Fans were holding their collective breath whenever Daniels took off on the run. He was diving headfirst instead of sliding, which wasn't exactly smart considering that's how he dislocated his elbow in the first place. And with the game out of sight, head coach Dan Quinn opted to take him out of the firing line despite the former LSU star getting the all-clear to return.
Michael Strahan urges Jayden Daniels to alter his playing style for long Commanders career
This didn't go unnoticed by former edge rusher turned FOX Sports analyst Michael Strahan at halftime.
He thought Daniels should be taking fewer risks. Strahan also thought sliding feet first would be more prudent, especially considering that going headfirst means you're more likely to initiate contact. However, the Pro Football Hall of Famer wondered whether going with his head down was due to the hamstring and knee injuries sustained earlier in the campaign.
It's a fair assessment, even if the Commanders and their passionate fan base won't admit it. There needs to be radical changes to Daniels' on-field approach. His risk assessment isn't where it needs to be. There is a constant desire to put himself in harm's way, and it's becoming his undoing.
Making alterations now is difficult. Daniels hasn't been able to make tweaks while rehabbing, and the Commanders have taken things slowly during his recovery. But when the offseason gets here, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year needs to refine his approach to minimize the risk of further complications.
If Daniels hasn't realized the severity of this issue by now, he should. And opposing teams can smell his fragility a mile away.
Taking away what makes Daniels so special entirely wouldn't be wise. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with living to fight another day. He's not the biggest quarterback, so the less punishment he receives, the better his chances of a long career will be.
Daniels will probably play in Week 15 at the New York Giants, although debates about shutting him down will once again surface in the coming days. They have merit, but he won't stop pushing.
There needs to be some self-reflection here. And Strahan just said what everyone is starting to figure out.