Daniels to miss Commanders’ Monday night game with Chiefs due to hamstring strain

The Washington Commanders will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels for Monday night’s game against the Chiefs in Kansas City.

The second-year signal-caller was ruled out on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Daniels left Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a right hamstring strain. He received an MRI on Monday that ruled out long-term issues, coach Dan Quinn said.

The NFL’s 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year already missed two games this season with a left knee sprain and sported a brace to support the leg when he returned to the field.

The hamstring problem — Daniels’ third injury since joining the league following a rib injury last season — has led some to question his durability. The slim dual-threat quarterback added some muscle mass in the offseason, but critics have long expressed concerns about his ability to handle the NFL’s wear and tear.

Quinn doesn’t share those concerns. The hamstring injury occurred when Daniels was in the pocket — an unavoidable part of playing quarterback.

“There were definitely steps forward from the time that he missed going into the game — when to throw away, when to stay alive,” the Commanders’ second-year coach said. “Seeing that improvement already, I’m pleased with that. Using his legs is part of his game, but remaining a passer before getting outside the pocket to run, that’s something that we’re going to continue to work on for sure.”

Journeyman Marcus Mariota is expected to start in Daniels’ absence. The 2015 first-round pick has thrown for 426 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions this season.

As with every team in the NFL, injuries have hit Washington through the first half of the year. Week 1 starters like running back Austin Ekeler, defensive end Deatrich Wise and edge rusher Dorance Armstrong are already on injured reserve.

But after playing the Cowboys without their top three receivers, the Commanders could receive reinforcements this week. All-Pro Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are expected to have “full weeks of practice” leading up to the trip to Kansas City, Quinn said on SiriusXM’s “Movin’ the Chains.”

McLaurin has missed four games with a quad injury. Samuel, Washington’s leading receiver this season, missed the trip to Dallas with a heel issue.

Noah Brown, another receiving option, will miss at least three more games after suffering a groin injury.

Daniels and Mariota have worked with a carousel of receivers throughout the season, including rookie Jaylin Lane, second-year pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey and journeymen Chris Moore and Robbie Chosen.

“When a starter goes out, there’s a lot of practice time and reps involved with that,” Quinn said Monday of the difficulties dealing with injuries. “When this opportunity comes for the second person, you’re trying to speed up that process for them to make sure their techniques, their communications are on point and to the right space.”

The 3-4 Commanders return to practice on Thursday ahead of the prime-time game against the 4-3 Chiefs.