John KeimOct 19, 2025, 07:21 PM ETCloseJohn Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.Follow on X
Daniels hurt after big hit results in Cowboys recovering his fumble (0:22)Jayden Daniels is hurt after taking a big hit from the Cowboys, forcing him to fumble. (0:22)
ARLINGTON, Texas — Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a right hamstring injury early in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and later was ruled out, yet another blow to a banged-up Washington offense in an eventual 44-22 loss.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Daniels will have an MRI on the hamstring Monday. Washington (3-4) next plays at Kansas City (4-3) on Oct. 27.
Daniels immediately grabbed the back of his right leg and kept his hand there as he limped off the field. He was evaluated in the medical tent on the field before heading to the locker room.
Quinn said Daniels might have even felt his hamstring on the play before the fumble — on which he had to scramble to his left and throw back to the middle. But he wasn’t limping after that play.
Marcus Mariota replaced him and, on his first series, threw a pick-six that allowed Dallas to take a 41-15 lead. Mariota finished 4-of-10 passing for 63 yards.
Quinn said the score didn’t impact the decision to keep Daniels out. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, and rushed eight times for 35 yards and a score before he exited.
Washington already was down its top three receivers for this game — Terry McLaurin (quad), Deebo Samuel (heel) and Noah Brown (on injured reserve, groin). Running back Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 2.
Though Quinn opened his postgame news conference by saying “injuries aren’t the reason we lost,” teammates said it was hard to see Daniels leave the game.
“Oh man, to see one of our leaders going down it definitely affected the team,” linebacker Frankie Luvu said. “He’s one of them guys we lean towards … I hope he comes back stronger than what he is.”
Added receiver Jaylin Lane: “It definitely hurt to see that. It looks like he’s doing OK, but yeah, it’s always a next-man-up mentality.”
Daniels already has sat out two games this season because of a sprained left knee. If he can’t play against the Chiefs, Mariota would make his third start of the season. Washington beat the Raiders and lost to the Falcons in the previous two.
Daniels hurt after big hit results in Cowboys recovering his fumble (0:22)Jayden Daniels is hurt after taking a big hit from the Cowboys, forcing him to fumble. (0:22)
CloseJohn Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.Follow on X
“For now it’s just supporting [Daniels],” Mariota said, “and making sure he’s good.”
Jayden Daniels is hurt after taking a big hit from the Cowboys, forcing him to fumble. (0:22)