Dan Quinn: Jayden Daniels week to week, we're hopeful he'll play

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn classified quarterback Jayden Daniels as “week to week” in his Monday news conference after this year's No. 2 overall pick suffered a rib injury during yesterday's win over the Panthers.

“We'll take him through all the steps in practice, evaluate how he's doing and continue to work through that,” Quinn said. “We are hopeful that he will be able to play. But we will make sure to take every precaution and do it smartly for the sake of the player and the man.

“It won't be something that knocks him out long-term. So, we are going to list it week by week. And hopefully, he'll play this week and we'll take it all the way.”

Quinn noted that Daniels was hurt on Washington's first play, which he took for a 46-yard run.

When he was able to finish that possession, Washington thought it best to hold him for the rest of the contest.

Because it's a core injury, Quinn noted that Daniels will have to go through the motions to be able to play the way he's used to playing.

“He is such a unique player That I want to make sure that she can be her, completely, in her own way — the moves, the throws, all the things that go with her, as you can imagine,” Quinn said. “So, I know he will do everything he can. But I will believe my eyes. And, of course, know him well. So, like I said, we'll take it every step of the way.”

Quinn added that he realizes he has to hold Daniels back a bit.

“He is, at his core, a true competitor. And we wouldn't expect anything different from that,” Quinn said. “But we'll really trust our eyes, the medical staff, and like I said, we're going to make sure we evaluate it every day and make sure when he's fully in that spot. Maybe, then we'll let it rip. But we'll take it all week — we've got assessment and movement and practice going through it. Every day, we will have better updates.”

Daniels completed a league-high 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He rushed for 372 yards with four TDs.

The Commanders will host the Bears on Sunday, issuing their first injury report of the week on Wednesday. If Daniels can't play, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback.