It’s been a while since we’ve seen Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels out on the football field. Daniels last played over a month ago – on Nov. 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Daniels suffered a gruesome dislocated elbow in that game and he’s been on the sideline since. But, that’s about to change. After a quicker-than-initially-expected recovery, Daniels will start for the Commanders when they take on the Vikings in Minnesota in Week 14.
Jayden Daniels will play in Week 14 vs. Vikings
Despite losing seven consecutive games heading into the matchup with Minnesota, the Commanders aren’t officially eliminated from playoff contention yet. But, at 3-9 they might as well be. Given that fact, some have wondered why the Commanders would bring Daniels back this season and risk him suffering another injury in a game without any real stakes.
But, Commanders coach Dan Quinn stressed that the experience is important for Daniels as a young quarterback still trying to learn and develop.
“It’s important for him, for his teammates,” Quinn said. “All these [games] matter. As he’s developing, there are certain things he has to work on, too, to be as competitive and take care of things.”
Daniels agreed that he could use the reps. Plus, he just likes being out there.
“Who’s to say I’m not going to go into next year healthy?” Daniels said. “We take it one day at a time and before I was getting paid I was playing it for free. I have that passion for the game. I’m a young guy, I’m still trying to develop, still trying to learn. These games are critical.”
After a stellar rookie season, Daniels has had an underwhelming sophomore season, due largely to injury issues. He’s been limited to just six games, eight touchdowns and 1,184 passing yards.
Though there’s little to play for from a postseason perspective, Daniels and the Commanders could use the final five games of the current campaign to build some momentum that they could carry into next season.
