According to what he said following the 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders seems to be over his rib injury. Daniels appeared to be attempting to evade the Eagles’ intense defensive pressure by leaning away from pressure and even flinging off his back foot while backpedaling multiple times during a game in which he was uncharacteristically bad.
Jayden’s performance was so good that some people believe he was shielding his ribs from needless blows. At Lincoln Financial Field, it didn’t appear to be a “Daniels” game. However, he responded in a way that was expected of a quarterback when asked about his physical condition.
Daniels responded, “Yeah, for sure,” when asked if he was healthy. “I wouldn’t be on the field if I wasn’t. It was a quick turnaround, so congratulations to the players who are fighting back to get their bodies back in shape for this brief game. I’m not the only player who is dealing with issues; obviously, no player is completely healthy at this moment. Return, recuperate, and prepare for the next week.
It is possible, of course, that Daniels simply had a bad game. It’s possible that the rookie, who has been playing good football since Week 1, simply had a bad day against Vic Fangio’s defense, where Jayden looked like a rookie quarterback.
Furthermore, the rib problem can persist for some time, so we must believe Daniels when he says that he went out there in full force. After all, he isn’t going to claim that he didn’t give it his all, is he? Daniels still has to fight until he gets a respite, as Washington has two games left before their bye week.
It’s unclear if Daniels’ ribs were causing him any discomfort, but the Commanders, who have now lost two straight games, need to find a way to win again, and Jayden, healthy or not, will need to be a crucial player in that effort.
After a brief setback, commander veterans give their teammates the gauntlet.
Right now, the Washington Commanders need to have the right perspective. The way the team’s Thursday Night Football loss to the Philadelphia Eagles played out has left everyone feeling let down. The fact that this project is much ahead of schedule is unaffected.
Big characters are in right now. The impending Week 14 bye is putting a pressure on the Commanders. Injuries are growing and bodies are hurting. If head coach Dan Quinn’s team hopes to achieve postseason football in Year 1 of this thrilling rebirth, they must successfully navigate this challenging time.
During the winter, general manager Adam Peters did an excellent job of balancing youth and experience. In the days ahead, those who have been in the game for a long time will be more important than ever. While getting more sleep will be beneficial, they will need to win their home game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.
After two consecutive defeats, commander veterans exhort colleagues to demonstrate resolve.
Throughout his professional career, Bobby Wagner has seen and done very little. The Commanders’ incredible culture change thus far has been greatly aided by the potential first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. He urged his teammates to react appropriately and not allow this minor setback to define them going forward.
“Every team, even the best ones, is put to the test eventually. And your ability to recover and demonstrate resilience defines the kind of team you will be.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who is perhaps the most admired leader in the locker room, agreed with this statement. Since being drafted by the Commanders, he has essentially only been miserable. For those who have been around before, sustained victory is a novel experience. The atmosphere of the last two games is all too familiar.
McLaurin mirrored Wagner’s thoughts by laying down the gauntlet to his teammates. In a short period of time, he expects the Commanders to defend the fraternity they have established. It’s difficult to have the will to persevere through hardship, but the Pro Bowl pass-catcher thinks it can help Washington regain their early-season success.
“Preaching fraternity is simple when things are going well. when you’re winning, enjoying yourself, and so forth. This is the foundation upon which your program must be distinguished. We put a lot of weight on our fraternity, and now is the moment to defend it.”
When the Commanders regroup after their short break, the key message in the locker room will focus on upcoming opportunities to secure victories. While nothing is guaranteed, following advice from leaders like McLaurin and Wagner could help the team regain momentum.
Meanwhile, fans may have overreacted to recent losses. The team has enjoyed rare praise from the national media and benefited from positive results earlier in the season. Although back-to-back losses have been sobering, the Commanders remain 7-4 with their goals still within reach as the season approaches its critical stretch.
Under past administrations, the Commanders didn’t do much to provide meaningful football after Thanksgiving. Quinn is in the forefront, and that immediately changes. Relying on what has brought them thus far and keeping a sense of purpose will only assist.
After two consecutive losses, the Commanders are in a bad mood. They’re far from out, though.