The Washington Commanders shared a disappointing update regarding Jayden Daniels’ injury for Week 8’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jayden Daniels Injury News
#Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on Sunday, is going to be out for MNF against the #Chiefs, sources say.
Marcus Mariota gets the start. pic.twitter.com/PKyM3OUX4R
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2025
When the Commanders hit the field for Monday Night Football, they will do it without their star quarterback.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Daniels will be out against the Chiefs. The second-year quarterback suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed no long-term damage.
However, the Commanders will sit Daniels for at least one week to let his hamstring heal.
Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback against the Chiefs.
Daniels injured the hamstring with just under 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter against the Cowboys. Daniels never returned to the game, finishing 12 of 22 for 156 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 35 yards and one touchdown.
Mariota entered the game and completed 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.
Dallas won the game 44-22.
Daniels’ hamstring is the second major injury that has caused him to miss time this season.
In Week 2’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, Daniels injured his knee and missed the next two games. Daniels has 1,031 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception, while also accumulating 211 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Mariota’s start against the Chiefs will be his third of the season. Mariota went 1-1 from Weeks 3 to 4 in place of the injured Daniels. Mariota is 35 of 58 for 426 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in three games. The veteran has chipped in 94 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Injuries Beginning to Derail Commanders’ Season
On the topic of why didn't they put Terry McLaurin on IR originally. DQ pic.twitter.com/EnjblAag5z
— Chick Hernandez (@MrChickSports) October 17, 2025
The Commanders exceeded expectations in 2024 by making the NFC Championship with a rookie quarterback.
2025 has been a different story, starting with multiple injuries to Daniels.
The Commanders have the eighth-worst passing attack (196.1 yards per game) in the NFL. Part of the reason for the Commanders’ struggle through the air is the lack of depth at receiver.
Terry McLaurin, the team’s No. 1 receiver, has missed four games with a quad injury. McLaurin was expected to play in Week 7, but the Commanders eventually ruled him out after he didn’t practice heading into the weekend.
Head coach Dan Quinn said McLaurin is supposed to practice this week. With the game on Monday night, McLaurin will get an extra day to recover.
Deebo Samuel also missed Sunday’s loss at Dallas with a bruised heel. Like McLaurin, Samuel is expected to practice this week.
The Commanders (3-4) are about to begin a brutal stretch of games, including at Kansas City and two home games against Seattle and Detroit.
