Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been cleared to play and will be the starter during the Washington Commanders' Sunday Night Football matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Dan Quinn said Friday.
The decision comes after Daniels, who was ruled out for the Monday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury, was a full participant all week.
"We're all pumped for that," Quinn said. "He just has a unique way about him; elevates others as we're going through things. He's hard to defend."
Daniels said that he started to feel better near the end of last week but trusted in the Commanders' plans for his long-term health. Daniels had a good rehab session on Sunday, Quinn said, which gave the head coach enough confidence to say Tuesday following the Commanders' 28-7 loss to the Chiefs that Daniels would be part of the team's practice plans.
The next day, Quinn announced that the plan was for Daniels to be a full participant all week.
Although Daniels didn't reveal much about his health during his Wednesday press conference, the quarterback looked spry during the portions of practice open to reporters. He moved through individual drills with ease and went through his full throwing motion.
"We pushed him a little more than others," Quinn said. "The short week for him wasn't the same as for the other guys. We wanted to hit top speeds and go for it ... It was good to see him throwing, running. He really looked like himself."
Take a closer look at the Washington Commanders' "Super Bowl Era" uniforms, which will make their debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
Daniels will return to the field without his top weapon at receiver, as Terry McLaurin was ruled out earlier this week after Quinn announced that he re-injured his quad against the Chiefs. The Commanders will have to rely on Deebo Samuel, who was absent for the injury report for the first time in weeks, and younger options like Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane. The Commanders' practice squad options include Robbie Chosen, who had four receptions for 36 yards against the Cowboys, and Treylon Burks, who has yet to be called up since they signed him earlier in the year.
The Commanders have lost three straight games since Daniels returned to the field after missing two weeks with a knee injury. In the five games Daniels has played this season, he has completed 61% of his passes for 1,031 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. He also has 44 rushing attempts for 211 yards with a touchdown.
Kicker Matt Gay (back), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (shoulder) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (thumb) were all full participants during Friday's practice and will be available on Sunday. Tight end John Bates (Ankle), left tackle Laremy Tunsil (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton (ankle) also practiced on Friday but were limited participants. All three players are questionable for Sunday.
Tight end Colson Yankoff (hamstring) is the only other player who has been ruled out.
