Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels Is Set To Return

Well, well, well. Look who’s back from his little vacation on the injured reserve bench! Jayden Daniels is officially cleared for takeoff, and honestly, it’s about time. The Washington Commanders have been playing musical quarterbacks for two weeks, and let’s just say Marcus Mariota isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard like his younger counterpart.

Daniels Gets the Green Light After Knee Drama

Jayden Daniels has been medically cleared by the doctors and will practice fully today, per HC Dan Quinn.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2025

Head Coach Dan Quinn dropped the news we’ve all been waiting for on Wednesday: Daniels has been medically cleared from his knee sprain and will practice in full. Thank goodness, because watching the Commanders stumble to a 2-2 record without their star rookie quarterback was about as painful as stepping on a Lego barefoot.

The knee injury happened during that brutal Thursday Night Football showdown against the Packers back in Week 2. You know, one of those hits that makes you wince through the TV screen? Yeah, that one. Since then, Daniels has been sidelined, probably going stir-crazy watching from the bench while his team struggled without him.

The Mariota Era: A Brief and Forgettable Chapter

Let’s be real here – Marcus Mariota did his best impression of a serviceable backup quarterback. The team managed to squeeze out one win in Week 3, but that Week 4 disaster against the Atlanta Falcons? Ouch. That defensive performance was rougher than a sandpaper massage, and without Daniels’ magic touch, the offense looked about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Daniels’ Electric Start To 2025

Before this whole knee nonsense derailed his momentum, Daniels was absolutely cooking. Through his first two games against the Packers and Giants, he threw for 433 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Zero! That is the kind of stat line that makes fantasy football owners weep tears of joy.

But here’s where it gets spicy – Daniels isn’t just a pocket passer. The man can run like he stole something, adding 85 yards on 18 carries. Dual-threat quarterbacks are becoming the NFL’s new obsession, and Daniels fits that mold perfectly.

What This Means for Week 5 Against the Chargers

The timing couldn’t be better for Washington’s cross-country adventure to Los Angeles. Both teams are coming off losses, which means this Sunday’s matchup has all the ingredients for a bounce-back battle royale. Daniels versus Justin Herbert? Sign me up for that quarterback duel.

Of course, there’s still some concern about the receiving corps. Terry McLaurin is dealing with a quad injury and is considered week-to-week, while Noah Brown hasn’t practiced in two weeks with his own groin issues. But hey, sometimes adversity breeds creativity, right?

The Bottom Line On Daniels

Getting Daniels back isn’t just good news – it’s franchise-altering news. He has shown flashes of brilliance that remind you why Washington was so excited to draft him. His return gives the Commanders their best shot at turning this season around and proving they’re more than just another rebuilding team.

The real test comes Sunday in Los Angeles. Can Daniels shake off the rust and pick up where he left off? Or will two weeks on the sideline show in his performance? One thing’s for certain – it will be a lot more entertaining than watching Mariota hand the ball off for three hours.