Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels left Sunday’s 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers with an apparent rib injury.
The NFL’s premiere rookie got some good news on Sunday as Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reveals that initial tests on Daniels showed no fractures to his ribs.
Daniels will undergo more tests on Monday, but the initial news is good for the former Heisman winner.
“I can’t give you an update on Jayden, but I will as soon as we find out,” coach Dan Quinn said Sunday after Daniels was injured early in Sunday’s win. “I’ll give you some updates tomorrow as soon as I know, but I won’t have any tonight.”
Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, posted on social media the simple message: “He is doing well.” Meanwhile, co-owner Magic Johnson posted that he’s “praying Jayden Daniels’ injury isn’t serious!”
Daniels will undergo more testing on Monday, but the early news is good for the QB
Commander QB Jayden Daniels (5) is tackled by Panthers linebacker Thomas Incomom
Seven games into what will be a season with playoff aspirations, the Commanders are 5-2 but have no clarity on Daniels as of yet.
“Obviously it’s going to take some time, or whatever it is,” said veteran Marcus Mariota, who replaced Daniels and threw for two touchdown passes and 205 yards. ‘We have no idea. But I think he was in good spirits, and for the most part you just watch him, see how he’s doing, and then we take it day by day.”
Daniels, who ran for 46 yards on the Commanders’ first offense, took multiple hits on their opening drive, including a fall on his head on that play. It wasn’t clear exactly when he was injured, and Quinn was only sure it happened during that ride.
LSU’s No. 2 pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner appeared to be in pain as he left the field on a third-down completion before Austin Seibert’s field goal that gave Washington a 10-0 lead. He initially went to the bench, but moved to the blue medical tent for evaluation.
After Andy Dalton’s second interception of the first quarter, Daniels left the tent and went back onto the field to make a few passes. He returned to the sideline and hit his helmet on the turf before returning to the tent, and Mariota took control of the offense.
“When you see him go down, it’s tough for us,” top receiver Terry McLaurin said. “Marcus did a great job when he came in.”
With towel in hand, Daniels then walked off the sideline and through the tunnel to the locker room.
