When the Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels, many fans worried about his slender build. The concern? In the NFL, where games are physically intense, Daniels’ tendency to scramble and run could easily lead to injury with just one hit.
It took six weeks for that risk to materialize. While playing against the Carolina Panthers, Daniels broke free for a 47-yard run before taking a hard hit from two defenders, resulting in a rib injury. He is now listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears.
The question now is whether the Commanders will try to adjust Daniels’ style of play to reduce his risk of injury.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury commented, “This is something we all have to consider. When deciding if he’s ready to play, you want him to feel free to play his game, but there’s also a need to protect him from himself at times. He’s fearless, won’t slide, and he goes all-in, so as a team, we need to ensure he’s at full capacity and can play his way before he’s back on the field.”
Washington now faces a balancing act. Should they let Daniels play in his usual style, accepting the risk of injury? Or should they encourage him to adapt his approach to prolong his career?
With the quarterback position being so critical—and after seeing other mobile quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson miss time due to injury—this is a key issue for the Commanders. As Kingsbury suggests, Daniels may continue playing his way, and Washington will have to accept the risks and hope he avoids unnecessary hits.
