After starting the season on a blistering 7-2 pace, the Washington Commanders fell to 7-4 after back-to-back losses. Fans and media are speculating that this is primarily due to Jayden Daniels’ rib injury that hampered the rookie sensation suffered in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers. Whether that’s true or not, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn says his QB’s injury is it’s no longer a problem.
“Dan Quinn makes it very clear, ‘Jayden is not injured right now,’ but adds that Daniels has missed a lot of practice time, which has impacted the offense,” JP Finlay of NBC Sports during Quinn’s press conference.
Whether Daniels is or was injured, there is no doubt that he has been much less dynamic since that Panthers game. In the six games leading up to that point, his completion percentage was significantly higher and he had five games of 210+ passing yards. Of the four since, he has only one game over 210.
More importantly, Daniels had double-digit attempts in four of those six games and 35+ rushing yards in five of the six. Since then, he hasn’t rushed more than eight times in a single game and has gone for 35 yards just once.
The good news for Quinn, Daniels and the Commanders is that the team will host the lowly Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans and then a bye in Week 14. So, before the final three very important games of the season, the young QB should be rested, ready and healthy.
Is Jayden Daniels losing his grip on Offensive Rookie of the Year?
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The NFL playoff awards watch goes up and down like the stock market, and after taking two L’s in consecutive weeks, Jayden Daniels stock for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award is in a bear market after
What once looked like a done deal is now in question as Daniels struggled a bit in Weeks 10 and 11. More than that, however, a contender has emerged to challenge him for that trophy. Denver Broncos rookie signal-caller Bo Nix has seemingly gotten better every week, winning three of his last five games and being on pace to go four of five and handing the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season .
Daniels is still the prohibitive favorite for the award, but if this trend continues over the next few weeks, expect Nix to generate more and more buzz.
