"Sophomore slump continues": NFL fans react as Jayden Daniels gets cleared to return for Week 5

Modified Oct 01, 2025 17:14 GMT

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders - Source: Imagn — NFL fans react as Jayden Daniels gets cleared to return for Week 5 - Source: Imagn

Jayden Daniels had built an impressive amount of hype by the end of the 2024 season. However, reality has set in for the quarterback in 2025. Injuries, a sluggish start, and his backup quarterback dominating have all been reasons for Daniels' hype to take a hit.

However, there might be a light emerging at the end of the tunnel. Posting on X on Oct. 1, Adam Schefter reported that Daniels, who had been working through a knee injury, is now healthy enough to have a full practice.

The announcement uncorked a volley of reaction from fans, with some excited and some expressing doubts about what it means for the Washington Commanders.

While there were plenty of doubters doubting, there were seemingly more fans reacting with confidence about Daniels' abilities.

Daniels, who is 1-1 in two games this season and riding a stark dropoff in completion percentage compared to 2024, has every reason to get on the field as soon as possible. Will it be in Week 5?

Dan Quinn faces difficult Jayden Daniels decision amid race against time

Typically, it doesn't take many full practices for a player to go from out to playing the following game. If the Washington Commanders quarterback makes it through a full practice on Thursday, Oct. 1, and Friday, Oct. 2, there is little reason to believe he could miss Week 5.

However, if he is forced into a limited practice or worse on Oct. 2, his status could logically take him out of the upcoming tilt against the stiff Los Angeles Chargers defense. If Jayden Daniels misses Week 5, his next opportunity for game action would be Monday, Oct. 13 against the Chicago Bears.

A conservative approach would dictate letting backup Marcus Mariota take one more game to ensure Daniels is 100% healthy, setting him up for the rest of the season. If Daniels isn't given that option and is forced into the game against a stiff Chargers defense too early, it risks causing a greater injury.

The call rests on head coach Dan Quinn's shoulders. Of course, if he holds Daniels out for one more game, it risks starting a quarterback controversy after Mariota's three-touchdown, one-interception performance in his last two starts.

About the author

Ian brings with him more than 6.5 years of sports writing experience to the Sportskeeda NFL team. He played offensive line in middle school and high school, and also made it to the top 0% matchmaking ranking in MUT play in Madden.

He possesses the quality of identifying unique story angles from quotes in press conferences, social media and interviews. He assimilates facts for his stories with a lawyer-like precision and verifies each and every piece of information.

Ian admires Peyton Manning for his ability to beat teams with his mind despite not being the best athlete, and is also a fan of Tom Brady. The Denver Broncos are his favorite team, and their Super Bowl 50 win in Manning’s last game is etched in his memory forever. Bill Belichick is his all-time favorite coach.

He has also grown to admire the Los Angeles Rams mainly because he and Cooper Kupp went to the same college, Eastern Washington University, with both finishing their college careers at the same time.

In his career so far, Ian has had the privilege of exclusively interviewing Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead, Kwity Paye of the Indianpolis Colts and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash. When not writing, he likes to play video games and be outdoors.

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