RGIII on his hopes for Jayden Daniels in his sophomore campaign
Robert Griffin III chats with Mackenzie Salmon about what he hopes to see out of Jayden Daniels in year two after a breakout rookie campaign.
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The last thing Washington Commanders fans needed to hear was that their franchise quarterback – coming off a breakout rookie year – suffered a knee injury.
Yet, that’s how things stand after the Commanders‘ Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers on “Thursday Night Football.” Jayden Daniels has not practiced at all yet this week but is due to return to the field on Friday at the earliest, according to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn.
Daniels has yet to miss a start in his pro career because of injuries. He suffered a rib injury in a Week 7 game last year but didn’t miss any time.
His 19-game start streak in the regular season to begin his career is at risk of ending in Week 3. When the Commanders host the Raiders on Sunday, they may do so without their starting quarterback.
Here’s the latest on Daniels:
Jayden Daniels injury update
Daniels had an MRI on his knee Monday after feeling discomfort following the Commanders’ Week 2 clash with the Packers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported afterward that the second-year quarterback was diagnosed with a sprained knee.
The LSU product and former Heisman Trophy winner has not yet practiced this week, though Quinn said Wednesday that Daniels’ rehab session went well but he wouldn’t practice until Friday at the earliest.
Until Daniels makes his return to practice and provides more clarity on his knee’s status, the Commanders are still considering him day-to-day with the knee injury.
Who is the Commanders’ backup quarterback?
Marcus Mariota is the Commanders’ backup quarterback. The 2025 season is his second year as Washington’s backup, and he appeared in three games (zero starts) last season.
Commanders QB depth chart
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, established himself as the Commanders’ franchise quarterback as a rookie, when he led the team to the NFC championship game. This year, he and his team are off to a 1-1 start that already includes a divisional win over the New York Giants.
Mariota is back in Washington for a second season as the backup. The Commanders are Mariota’s fifth team after he began his career as the Tennessee Titans‘ No. 2 overall pick in 2015. Should he start Sunday, it would be his first start since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons – three years and two teams ago.
The 39-year-old Johnson is back in Washington for a second stint after originally spending the 2018 season there. The Commanders are one of seven NFL teams Johnson has played for in his journeyman career.