Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels tabbed Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of Year

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been named the 2024 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, a likely precursor to more awards to come.

The Pepsi-sponsored award, announced Thursday, was completed by fan vote. The league’s official award, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, is one of eight season-ending honors to be given out Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans.

Daniels recorded the highest completion percentage (69.0) and the most rushing yards (891) by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. He also led all qualified rookie quarterbacks in passer rating (100.1) and rushing touchdowns (six) and ranked second in passing yards (3,568) and touchdown passes (25).

“I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support,” Daniels said in a news release. “I also want to thank my coaches and teammates. … Thank you to all the fans who took the time to vote for me all season, it is truly a privilege to play for you and I can’t wait to see everyone again in 2025!”

Daniels, 24, was selected by the Commanders with the second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU. He led Washington to the NFC title game, won by the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was one of six finalists nominated for the award. The other finalists were Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;  Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Coach: QB Jayden Daniels (ribs) to play, barring setback

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will start Sunday against the Chicago Bears, barring a setback in pregame warmups, coach Dan Quinn told CBS Sports.

Quinn said Daniels looked good in practice Friday as the rookie recovered from a rib injury he suffered in the first quarter of a 40-7 blowout of the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.

Daniels had been listed as questionable.

A Daniels start means a showdown between the top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft: No. 1 Caleb Williams, the quarterback of the Bears (4-2), and Daniels, the No. 2 overall selection by the Commanders (5-2).

In seven games (all starts) this season, Daniels has completed 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 372 yards and four scores on 66 carries.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Report: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (rib) expected to play vs. Bears

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to suit up for Washington’s Week 8 home matchup with the Chicago Bears, ESPN reported early Sunday morning.

Daniels sustained a rib injury in the first quarter of a 40-7 blowout of the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, forcing the Commanders to turn to backup Marcus Mariota for the remainder of the contest.

Prior to exiting, Daniels had completed 2 of 2 passes for 6 yards. He also had three carries for 50 yards.

The rib injury held Daniels out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 23-year-old was limited during another session on Friday. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, and the Commanders plan to see how he feels in pregame warmups before making a decision.

Daniels, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, would be going up against fellow rookie signal-caller Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick, if he plays.

In seven games (all starts) this season, Daniels has completed a league-leading 75.6 percent of his passes for 1,410 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 372 yards and four scores on 66 carries.

–Field Level Media

Despite missing almost all of last week's game with a rib injury, Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels still ranks third among quarterbacks this season in fantasy points per game. He faces fellow rookie QB Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears this week.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels practices, game-time decision vs. Bears

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels practiced Friday for the first time since an injury to his ribs forced him out of Washington’s Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Daniels did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was deemed a game-time decision for Sunday, when the Commanders (5-2) duel with the Chicago Bears (4-2) and rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner at Southern California, was selected one spot ahead of Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU, in the 2024 draft.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said the team won’t make a call on Daniels’ game status until gauging his recovery from Friday’s workout. Backup Marcus Mariota would get the call if Daniels is unable to run the offense.

“Jayden was able to practice (Friday),” Quinn said. “We followed the plan really that we set at the start of the week. … Think crawl, walk, run.

“We will assess how he responds to the work that we did over the next 48 hours, but we really pushed it today. We’ll make the best decision for him and the team.”

Mariota jumped into the captain’s seat to guide the Commanders to a 40-7 win against Carolina. Daniels left the game after an opening-drive field goal and didn’t return. He was hurt on a 46-yard run to open the first drive of the game for Washington and had three carries for 50 yards.

Mariota, who has appeared in 92 career games, shares Daniels’ penchant for tucking the ball and running. He had 11 carries for 34 yards last week and completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

Daniels has 66 rushing attempts — for 372 yards and four touchdowns — this season, and the Commanders could be weighing whether to expose Daniels to another hit to the ribs as a ballcarrier.

Quinn insisted he’ll play if he withstands a return to practice Friday, but the team won’t have the answer until Sunday.

“How does your body respond from really getting pushed to go? I would say that’s what we need to see,” Quinn said. “The testing is ongoing to get to that spot, but it was a good day.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Injured Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels  looks on from the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (rib) absent again from practice

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is recovering from a rib injury, was not spotted at practice on Thursday in the portion open to media.

Daniels and rookie offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (concussion) did not participate in the first practice of the week on Wednesday.

Head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that he would update Daniels’ situation after practice on Friday.

Daniels, 23, was hurt on the Commanders’ first offensive play, his 46-yard run, in a 40-7 win over the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday. He stayed in the game and the drive ended in a field goal before veteran Marcus Mariota relieved him as Washington improved to 5-2.

Mariota is expected to start if Daniels cannot play on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Bears (4-2) and 2024 No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams.

Daniels, who was selected second overall out of LSU, has six touchdown passes and four rushing TDs this season, leading the league with a 75.6 completion percentage and is sixth in the NFL in passer rating at 107.0. He has thrown for 1,410 yards and rushed for 372 in starting all seven games.

Mariota, 30, was 18-of-23 passing (78.3 percent) for 205 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Daniels against the Panthers.

Coleman, 24, also was injured that game. A third-round pick from TCU in the 2024 NFL Draft, Coleman has played on 39 percent of the offensive snaps (178) in seven games (three starts).

–Field Level Media