Seven weeks into his second NFL season, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is already facing the one question no franchise wants to revisit – can their young, electric quarterback stay healthy?
Daniels exited Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury early in the third quarter, casting new doubt on the sustainability of his fearless dual-threat style.
The injury occurred when Cowboys linebacker Shemar James twisted Daniels‘ leg awkwardly while bringing him down for a sack. The rookie-of-the-year finalist tried to release a throw mid-fall, but the ball came loose and was ruled a fumble, recovered by Dallas. Daniels was slow to rise, limped to the sideline with help from teammates, and was replaced by Marcus Mariota after examination. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game as Washington‘s offense sputtered to a finish.
Durability becoming a pattern
The setback comes on the heels of an earlier knee issue suffered in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers – an injury that head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged could cause Daniels to miss time. For a player whose game relies heavily on movement and improvisation, that mounting injury list is raising alarm bells.
On ESPN’s NFL Live, analyst Mina Kimes didn’t mince words when that injury happened. “Through the first two weeks of the season, he leads all quarterbacks in QB contact,” Kimes said. “He led all quarterbacks in QB contact last year. … It’s just not sustainable.”
Her comments echo a familiar warning in the NFL: quarterbacks who thrive on contact rarely last long. From former Heisman Trophy winners Robert Griffin III – who also played in Washington – to Cam Newton, history is filled with examples of explosive dual-threat talents who faded as the hits piled up.
Protection problems exacerbate the issue
While Daniels‘ aggressive running style is part of the story, it isn’t the whole one. Washington‘s offensive line has struggled mightily through the first two weeks, forcing Jayden to flee the pocket far more than ideal.
Former Washington coach Jay Gruden summarized the problem bluntly on The Kevin Sheehan Show: “They’re just not very good right now playing together.” That lack of cohesion up front has left Daniels exposed to repeated punishment – and no matter how elusive he is, no quarterback can withstand that level of physical toll across a 17-game season.
Even when healthy, Daniels has been visibly frustrated, often scrambling for survival rather than executing designed reads. It’s a dangerous habit that can erode both confidence and body over time. How do you protect the very thing that makes him special?
The answer lies in adjustment – both from Jayden and from the organization around him. Washington must find ways to protect its young star, whether through quicker reads, improved blocking schemes, or play designs that limit unnecessary hits.
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