Jayden Daniels will officially miss the first game of his burgeoning NFL career.
Daniels, dealing with an injured knee, has been ruled out for the Washington Commanders' Week 3 tilt against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Dan Quinn announced Friday.
Veteran Marcus Mariota will start in his place.
"I said at the beginning we were going to be very diligent about his return to play and make sure we didn't miss any steps. So we're gonna be smart, not just fast," Quinn said. "The player wants to do everything all the time, that's who he is as a competitor, which is what I love, but that's how we'll roll."
In the Commanders' Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, Daniels sprained his knee, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported.
Daniels didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but was limited Friday, per Quinn.
"Not being there all the way yet, being able to do everything," Quinn said, explaining why he is holding out Daniels. "It was also a side that it was an excellent week -- the progress, the encouragement to go, the fact that he was able to throw all days and get running in today.
"We're just not there all the way yet."
A 2024 Pro Bowler and AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels, 24, had started the first 19 games of his career. Described as day to day by Quinn earlier in the week, Washington will err on the side of caution as it relates to its franchise signal-caller's well-being.
So far this season, Daniels has completed 59.7% of his passes (43 for 72) for 433 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 85 yards on 18 carries.
Mariota's in his second season with the Commanders, having made three appearances last season. His start on Sunday will be his first since 2022 when he was signed as the Atlanta Falcons' QB1. Mariota was eventually benched with his last start coming on Dec. 4, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was 13 of 24 for 167 yards, a TD and an interception in the game. Prior to joining Atlanta, Mariota was a backup with the Raiders from 2020-21, so he'll be playing against one of his four former teams.
Just like Daniels, who was selected second in the 2024 NFL Draft, Mariota was a No. 2 overall pick, drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2015.
So, it will be Mariota leading the Commanders (1-1) when they kick off against the Raiders (1-1) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
