Jayden Daniels could be in line for a shock start for the Washington Commanders on Sunday, despite battling a rib problem all week.
According to ESPN, ‘all signs’ point to Daniels fighting through the pain barrier, although the organization will check on him first thing Sunday before going ahead and playing him.
The publication quoted a team official as saying about the rookie quarterback, who is officially listed as questionable: ‘He’s one tough-a** dude. He’d want to play if he were missing his right leg.’
Daniels missed practice in the middle of the week, sparking fears for the Commanders that he would miss the Bears game, but returned Friday. He sustained the injury on the Commanders’ first offensive play, his 46-yard run, in a 40-7 win over the visiting Panthers last weekend.
And should Daniels play, it will set up a clash against fellow rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Jayden Daniels looks set to play for the Commanders against the Bears in the NFL on Sunday
Daniels has been battling a rib issue from last weekend’s victory over Carolina Panthers
Williams went first in the NFL Draft this year while the Commanders took Daniels second and it is Washington who enter Sunday’s game with the superior record.
The Commanders, at 5-2, are NFC East leaders while the Bears are last in NFC North on 4-2.
Speaking Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he’d give Daniels every opportunity to prove he is available to play.
‘He really pushed it,’ Quinn said. ‘We’ll let our eyes decide how he responds over the next 48 hours.
‘That’ll guide us, and we’ll make the best decision for him and the team.’
Speaking Friday, Daniels himself said: ‘I feel good, I feel good. I want to play but it is not my decision.’
Should Daniels miss the game, which starts at 4:25pm ET, Marcus Mariota with take his place.
