Commanders Get Encouraging Jayden Daniels Injury Update

After winning 12 games and making it to the NFC Championship Game, the Washington Commanders suffered a significant setback last season.

The team went 5-12 and had to play a majority of the season without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who missed 10 games last year with injuries to his knee (two games) hamstring (one game), and elbow (seven games).

During an appearance on NFL Network's "The Insiders," Washington general manager Adam Peters updated where Daniels is amid his recovery from three different injuries while giving Commanders fans reason for optimism for the 2026 season.

"He's already jump-started [his recovery]," Peters said. "He's had an incredible offseason. He's really been diligent about working this offseason - he's been out in L.A., but he's working with his trainer out there, with his throwing coach, and he's in great shape. He came back here Phase 1 and he looks great, he feels great, he's healthy."

What It Means

Having Daniels fully healthy is arguably the most important things for the Commanders heading into next season.

Backup Marcus Mariota played admirably in relief last year (61.2 completion percentage, 1,695 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 297 yards rushing, one touchdown), but the Commanders are not the same team without Daniels.

And Daniels isn't nearly as effective when he can't escape the pocket, throw on the run, or use his legs to buy some time and make big throws down the field - all of which he was limited in last season.

It's also imperative Daniels get as much time working with the first-team offense as possible given the turnover with the Commanders WRs. Deebo Samuel and Chris Moore plus tight end Zach Ertz hit free agency, and Washington added Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, and third-round rookie Antonio Williams this offseason.

The Commanders also added a little more insurance at QB for next season, taking Rutgers passer Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round of the draft to add behind Mariota and Sam Hartman.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 1:44 PM.