Washington Commanders DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) remained out of practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with an apparent rib injury. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was knocked out of the Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers and seems to be trending toward missing Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. Daniels scored at least 20 fantasy points in five of his first six NFL games, so his absence from fantasy lineups could be significant. If Daniels can't go, veteran and former No. 2 overall pick in 2015, Marcus Mariota, will get the starting nod. Mariota was excellent last week, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns while racking up 34 rushing yards. However, Chicago has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs, making Mariota a low-end QB2 option if he starts.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) will not practice after injuring his ribs in the Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Backup Marcus Mariota will take first-team repetitions in practice, and it appears to be trending toward Mariota making the start in Week 8 against the visiting Chicago Bears. Daniels' injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but it doesn't mean that he'll start this weekend. The Commanders called the 23-year-old second overall pick week-to-week on Monday, so fantasy managers should have already made alternate plans in case he's ruled out this Sunday. If Daniels is out in Week 8, Washington's offense won't have nearly as much upside, while Mariota will be in play as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) left Sunday's Week 7 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers early in the first half due to an injury to his ribs. While his injury isn't considered serious, Daniels will require treatment and monitoring throughout the week, according to sources, making him up in the air for Week 8 versus the Chicago Bears. The 23-year-old went for testing on his ribs when he left the game on Sunday and was due for more testing on Monday. While we don't know the exact nature of the injury to his ribs, it doesn't seem serious enough to land him on Injured Reserve, which would knock him out for at least four games. Daniels has been a must-start QB1 in fantasy as one of the best dual threats at the position early in his career, but managers may be forced to go elsewhere this week if the Commanders play it safe and hold him out. We'll know more in a few days.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) underwent some initial X-rays on Sunday after he left the game against the Carolina Panthers. According to Jordan Schultz, those initial tests came back with no fractures to any of his ribs. The rookie phenom is still set to undergo some more tests on Monday as the team is taking a cautious approach to this injury. His status over the next couple of days will need to be monitored to understand the severity of the injury and if he'll need to miss any time moving forward. If he's unable to suit up in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Marcus Mariota will likely step in again as the starting quarterback.

Per Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) is set for more testing on Monday to assess the extent of his injury further. The rookie QB participated in just one series of the team's 40-7 dismantling of the Carolina Panthers before getting knocked out with a rib injury. Quinn also noted that it's unclear what play the injury occurred in. While Daniels was ruled out from the contest, he returned to the sidelines with a big smile, potentially indicating it was not a severe injury. Even if that's the case, expect Washington to play it cautiously with their young franchise quarterback. Marcus Mariota performed well in relief and would be presumed to be under center again if the 23-year-old can't suit up for their Week 8 home tilt against the Chicago Bears.