Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels exited Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury and is scheduled for an MRI on Monday to assess the severity, potentially impacting his availability for the upcoming matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury occurred during a critical third-quarter play in a 44-22 loss, compounding the team’s offensive struggles amid multiple absences of key players.
Daniels suffered the injury with 11:53 left in the third quarter when he was hit by Cowboys linebacker Shemar James on a rushing attempt. The collision caused Daniels to fumble the ball, and he immediately grabbed the back of his right leg, limping off the field. He was evaluated in the medical tent before heading to the locker room and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game, leaving the Commanders to rely on backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed after the game that Daniels would undergo an MRI on his hamstring and noted that the quarterback had expressed a strong desire to return to play. Quinn emphasized that the decision to keep Daniels out was not influenced by the score, as he was physically unable to continue. Before his exit, Daniels had completed 12 of 22 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, along with eight rushes for 35 yards and another score, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
Mariota, who replaced Daniels, struggled in relief, throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown on his first series. He finished the game 4-of-10 for 63 yards, and if Daniels is unavailable for the next game, Mariota would make his third start of the season. The Commanders have a mixed record in Mariota’s previous starts, with a win over the Raiders and a loss to the Falcons, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position.
The injury adds to a series of setbacks for Washington, which entered the game without its top three wide receivers: Terry McLaurin due to a quad injury, Deebo Samuel with a heel issue, and Noah Brown on injured reserve with a groin problem. Additionally, running back Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 2, further depleting the offense. Despite these challenges, Quinn maintained that injuries were not the sole reason for the loss, pointing to broader team execution issues.
This is not the first time Daniels has dealt with an injury this season; he previously missed two games due to a sprained left knee, with Mariota stepping in during those absences. Teammates expressed concern after the game, with linebacker Frankie Luvu noting that seeing one of their leaders go down affected team morale, while receiver Jaylin Lane emphasized a ‘next-man-up’ mentality to cope with the situation.
The Commanders, now 3-4, face a daunting task in their next game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 27. Daniels’ availability will be crucial for their offensive dynamism and playoff hopes, as he has been a central figure in their strategy. The MRI results will determine the timeline for his return and whether the team must adjust its game plan around Mariota or other options.
Looking ahead, the team will closely monitor Daniels’ recovery, hoping for a positive outcome to stabilize their season. Injuries are an inevitable part of the NFL, but losing a starting quarterback can derail a team’s momentum. For now, the focus is on supporting Daniels through his rehabilitation and preparing for the challenges ahead in a competitive league landscape.