The injury bug hit several teams on Sunday, including the Washington Commanders.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels left the Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter after suffering a rib injury. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft took some hard hits on the opening drive and was seen clutching his ribs afterward.
Trainers attended to Daniels on the sideline, where he was visibly in pain. After attempting to throw on the sideline and expressing frustration by tossing his helmet, he walked to the locker room. The Commanders later ruled him out for the rest of the game, with Marcus Mariota stepping in as his replacement.
While the full extent of Daniels’ injury is still unclear, his mother reassured fans via social media that he was “fine.” Before the injury, Daniels completed both of his pass attempts for six yards and added 50 rushing yards on three carries, including a 46-yard run. He returned to the sideline later, smiling and waving to the crowd, suggesting he was in good spirits.
Daniels’ injury occurred during Washington’s first play from scrimmage—a 46-yard run where he stiff-armed Panthers safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. before being brought down by linebacker Marquis Haynes, resulting in an awkward fall. However, early reports, including an X-ray, indicated Daniels avoided a serious injury, providing some relief to Washington fans.