Washington Commanders May Need Their Quarterback's Legs in Dallas

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels may need to be a more active runner Sunday, September 20, after taking just five carries for 31 yards in the Week 1 loss at Philadelphia. Locked On Commanders host David Harrison said Daniels appeared to pass up open running lanes while working to stay in the pocket, but the matchup offers a reason to restore his legs as a deliberate part of the offense.

Harrison framed the adjustment as a necessary balance, not a return to Daniels’ old one-read-and-run habits. He said the quarterback has made progress extending plays, working deeper into his reads, and avoiding unnecessary contact. Against the Dallas Cowboys, though, Harrison expects Washington to make room for designed runs, RPO looks, and situations in which Daniels can punish a defense that struggled with gap discipline in its opener.

Locked On Cowboys host Marcus Mosher identified the quarterback run game as the matchup that could most trouble Dallas. Mosher said seven or eight Daniels rushing attempts could put pressure on inexperienced linebackers and force the Cowboys to defend threats beyond the standard dropback passing game. That possibility gives offensive coordinator David Blough a direct way to make the defense account for Daniels on every snap.

Blough is in his first season as offensive coordinator after Washington promoted him from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the opener showed an offense still finding its rhythm. Harrison pointed to a heavy second-and-long passing tendency against Philadelphia as an example Dallas can study. A more varied rushing plan, especially with Daniels involved, could help Washington stay out of predictable passing situations while controlling the pace.

Washington visits Dallas at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 20, at AT&T Stadium. The immediate test for Daniels and Blough is whether they can add enough quarterback-run stress without sacrificing the progress the quarterback has made as a pocket passer.

Commanders News and Notes

– Harrison said Washington must become less predictable on second-and-long after throwing on more than 80% of those snaps against Philadelphia. A more balanced approach could keep Dallas from anticipating obvious passing situations.

– Mosher said the pass rush must turn pressure into disruption against Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Washington pressured Philadelphia’s quarterback without consistently creating game-changing mistakes, making that finish-to-the-play element central to its Week 2 opportunity.