Jayden Daniels injury update: Commanders' QB diagnosed with knee sprain; how long will the recovery take?

Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ rising star quarterback, had the Commanders fans worrying in the wake of their Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, as Daniels himself was seen limping off the field with a brace on his left knee.

The team’s dynamic young quarterback and last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year had just completed the game, but the injury clearly affected him.An MRI has confirmed that Daniels has suffered a knee sprain, which has put his availability for Week 3 in doubt. With the Commanders preparing for their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, how long might it take for the rising QB to return to the field?

What happened

During the Commanders’ 27-18 loss to the Packers, Jayden Daniels sustained a knee injury on the first play of the fourth quarter.

It resulted from a cut and hit to his left knee after trying to avoid pressure from Micah Parsons; later, Javon Bullard made another tackle.After the game, Daniels was visibly limping and wore a brace. He underwent an MRI, which revealed a knee sprain. However, there is no indication of more severe damage (like a torn ligament) at this point. In fact, the head coach of the Commanders, Dan Quinn, even described Daniels’ condition as “day-to-day.”

The impact of the injury

Given that Daniels has never missed a start in his NFL career so far, this injury marks the first time he might be sidelined. With Week 3 approaching, his ability to go is uncertain – as of now. Coach Quinn emphasized that Daniels will need to pass all the usual tests in practice – speed, cutting, stopping, change of direction – before being cleared for the next game, whenever that is. As for the Commanders’ next game – if Daniels cannot play, veteran Marcus Mariota is poised to start.

Mariota has filled in previously, notably in 2024, with effective performances in backup duty.

How long will the recovery take?

Knee sprains can vary widely in severity, and recovery times depend on grade, location, swelling, response to treatment, and adherence to rehab protocols. Based on what’s known so far:Because the MRI didn’t show more severe damage, this seems like a mild to moderate sprain rather than a severe one.Mild knee sprain recovery might require anywhere from a few days to one week, with rest, icing, compression, elevation, and limited weight bearing.Moderate sprains often take 1-3 weeks, sometimes up to 4, depending on how fast swelling decreases and how soon the player can handle reactive movements (cutting/changing direction), which are essential for a quarterback like Daniels.Because the Commanders are treating him “day-to-day,” and not placing him on injured reserve, the expectation is that this won’t be a multi-week or season-threatening issue.As of now, Daniels’ status for Week 3 (versus the Las Vegas Raiders) is in doubt. Coach Quinn and the team's medical staff will monitor how Daniels responds to treatment and how he performs in practice when they resume mid-week. They will specifically look for his ability to move without pain, make sharp cuts, read defenses under pressure, and avoid limping, since a quarterback must not only throw but also escape pass rushes and move in the pocket.

If he can’t meet those marks, they are likely to err on the side of caution.