What Commanders want to see from Jayden Daniels before making decision for Chargers game

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Wednesday that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels had been medically cleared to be a full participant in practice after Daniels missed back-to-back games with a sprained left knee.

However, it wasn't yet a guarantee at that time that Daniels would be in the lineup when the 2-2 Commanders play at the 3-1 Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday. 

Jayden Daniels seems eager to resume playing

"He’ll get all the reps at practice, so will be back at full speed — the execution, the timing, all of that," Quinn said about Daniels while speaking with reporters, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "That’s really what I’m looking for. But he’s definitely champing at the bit to get going. So, more just running the offense, being back to himself — that was our discussion today to make sure [he’s getting] all the looks, all the calls, and the speed of the practice."

Shortly before Quinn addressed Daniels' status, ESPN's Dan Graziano shared that the second-year pro "was close to being cleared to play in" what became Washington's 34-27 loss at the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday. 

"The team doctors decided on Friday it was best to hold him out," Graziano added about Daniels. Meanwhile, Jeremy Fowler mentioned in that same ESPN piece that Daniels "pushed to play last week, but doctors didn't clear him."

Backup Marcus Mariota went 1-1 while serving as Daniels' temporary replacement. Most recently, Mariota completed 16-of-27 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against Atlanta. He also added 20 rushing yards on two carries in that defeat. 

Trust played a part in Dan Quinn sitting Jayden Daniels

"It’s good that I’ve known him for a year and a half now," Quinn said about keeping Daniels sidelined through the Falcons contest. "I think when you’re first getting to know somebody, you’re feeling that out. But knowing what his best looks like and also having trust in one another to do that — I think that’s a big piece of it." 

Daniels will look to gain Quinn's trust through Friday as it pertains to getting the nod for the Chargers matchup. Shortly after Quinn offered his update, ESPN BET had the Chargers as 2.5-point favorites over the Commanders.