All signs point to Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels playing Sunday against the Chicago Bears, league sources told ESPN.
The Commanders still will need to see how Daniels is feeling Sunday in pregame warmups before making any final determination about whether he can start. But as one team official told ESPN said about Daniels: “He’s one tough-ass dude.”
If Daniels does push through his rib injury and play, as he is trying to do, it would set up a battle between this season’s respective No. 1 and No. 2 draft picks — Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams and Daniels.
Daniels officially is listed as questionable for Sunday’s home game against the Bears. The Heisman Trophy winner did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday and went through Washington’s walk-through practice Saturday.
Daniels is said to recognize the importance and significance of a game against Williams as well as what the contest will mean to Washington’s season. The Commanders (5-2) enter Sunday in first place in the NFC East, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2).
“He’d want to play if he were missing his right leg,” the team official told ESPN.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Daniels “really pushed it” Friday and that the organization would “let our eyes decide how he responds over the next 48 hours.”
“That’ll guide us, and we’ll make the best decision for him and the team,” Quinn said Friday.
Daniels said Friday he felt good and wants to play but acknowledged that “it’s not my decision.”
Daniels injured his rib on his first play from scrimmage in last Sunday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers. He was replaced by Marcus Mariota, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
ESPN’s John Keim contributed to this report.