October 23, 2025

Jayden Daniels Out for Commanders vs Chiefs Game

Washington, October 23, 2025

News Summary

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be sidelined for the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a low-grade right hamstring strain. Veteran Marcus Mariota will take over starting duties in his absence. The injury occurred during a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, further complicating the Commanders’ season as they navigate a difficult schedule. Despite the optimism surrounding the return of key receivers, the team must strategize carefully to maintain competitiveness while prioritizing the long-term health of their franchise quarterback.

Washington

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a low-grade right hamstring strain. Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels for the Monday night game. The decision was made with a focus on protecting the franchise quarterback from aggravating the injury while keeping the team competitive for the matchup.

Key game status and immediate roster moves

The injury occurred during the Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where Daniels left the game in the third quarter after being sacked. Daniels underwent an MRI the day after the game, which revealed no long-term damage to his hamstring, but the team prefers to ensure he does not aggravate the injury. This will be the third game Daniels has missed this season due to injury; he previously missed two games due to a left knee sprain suffered in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.

Marcus Mariota replaced Daniels in the second half of the recent Cowboys game, completing 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and throwing an interception that resulted in a pick-6. This season, Mariota has thrown for three touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 60.3% of his passes. The Commanders went 1-1 in the two games Mariota started while Daniels was injured earlier in the season. In those games, the Commanders won 41-24 against the Las Vegas Raiders and lost 34-27 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Team context and injuries

Injuries have also affected the Commanders’ receiving corps, with top receiver Terry McLaurin missing four games due to a quadriceps injury. There is optimism that McLaurin and fellow receiver Deebo Samuel will return to practice this week, which would bolster Mariota’s performance. The coaching staff has taken a cautious approach regarding Daniels’ health, emphasizing the importance of the franchise quarterback’s long-term recovery.

Season performance and outlook

Daniels has a total of 1,031 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception this season, with a total QBR of 51.4, which is a decline from his QBR of 67.7 last season as the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Currently, the Commanders hold a record of 3-4 and face a difficult remaining schedule, impacting their postseason chances, which are estimated at only 14% according to SportsLine. The Commanders look to avoid matching their total loss tally from the previous season with this week’s game against the Chiefs.

Opposition and betting outlook

As the Commanders face the Chiefs, who are currently 4-3, bookmakers have made Kansas City 11.5-point favorites in the matchup. The Chiefs enter the game with a winning record and will host a Washington team dealing with multiple injuries to key offensive players.

What this means for Monday night

With Daniels sidelined, Mariota will be asked to deliver a game plan against a strong Kansas City defense. The possible return of McLaurin and Deebo Samuel to practice this week could improve the Commanders’ receiving options, but the team will approach the matchup aware of its uphill postseason path. The short-term plan is to avoid further damage to Daniels’ hamstring while giving Mariota the best available support to compete on Monday night.

FAQ

Will Jayden Daniels play in Week 8?: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a low-grade right hamstring strain.
Who will start at quarterback for Washington?: Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels for the Monday night game.
How did Daniels get injured?: The injury occurred during the Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where Daniels left the game in the third quarter after being sacked.
What did the MRI show?: Daniels underwent an MRI the day after the game, which revealed no long-term damage to his hamstring, but the team prefers to ensure he does not aggravate the injury.
How many games has Daniels missed this season?: This will be the third game Daniels has missed this season due to injury; he previously missed two games due to a left knee sprain suffered in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
How did Mariota perform when he replaced Daniels recently?: Mariota replaced Daniels in the second half of the recent Cowboys game, completing 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and throwing an interception that resulted in a pick-6.
What are Mariota’s season stats?: This season, Mariota has thrown for three touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 60.3% of his passes.
What are Daniels’ season stats and QBR?: Daniels has a total of 1,031 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception this season, with a total QBR of 51.4, which is a decline from his QBR of 67.7 last season as the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
How have injuries affected the receiving corps?: Injuries have also affected the Commanders’ receiving corps, with top receiver Terry McLaurin missing four games due to a quadriceps injury.
Are McLaurin and Deebo Samuel expected to return soon?: There is optimism that McLaurin and fellow receiver Deebo Samuel will return to practice this week, which would bolster Mariota’s performance.
What is Washington’s record and postseason outlook?: Currently, the Commanders hold a record of 3-4 and face a difficult remaining schedule, impacting their postseason chances, which are estimated at only 14% according to SportsLine.
What are the betting odds for the game?: As the Commanders face the Chiefs, who are currently 4-3, bookmakers have made Kansas City 11.5-point favorites in the matchup.

Feature	Detail
Daniels’ game status	Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a low-grade right hamstring strain.
Starting quarterback	Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels for the Monday night game.
Mariota recent performance	Mariota replaced Daniels in the second half of the recent Cowboys game, completing 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and throwing an interception that resulted in a pick-6.
Mariota season stats	This season, Mariota has thrown for three touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 60.3% of his passes.
Daniels season stats	Daniels has a total of 1,031 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception this season, with a total QBR of 51.4, which is a decline from his QBR of 67.7 last season as the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Team record & postseason chance	Currently, the Commanders hold a record of 3-4 and face a difficult remaining schedule, impacting their postseason chances, which are estimated at only 14% according to SportsLine.
Betting line	As the Commanders face the Chiefs, who are currently 4-3, bookmakers have made Kansas City 11.5-point favorites in the matchup.

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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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