Jayden Daniels Injury Update: Will He Return for Week 9 vs Seahawks?

Jayden Daniels will not play on Monday Night Football on October 27, 2025. The Washington Commanders ruled out their starting quarterback with a low-grade right hamstring strain. Marcus Mariota starts at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Team evaluations point to encouraging news long-term. An MRI showed no significant or long-term damage, according to head coach Dan Quinn. His return timeline remains undecided.

Latest on the Hamstring and What It Means for Washington

Daniels suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Week 7 loss at Dallas on October 19. Medical imaging the next day showed the strain was not a long-term concern. Coaches and medical staff opted to sit him for Week 8 to avoid a setback.

The club confirmed the Week 8 absence later in the week. Multiple outlets reported he would miss the Chiefs game, and the team aligned game plans around Mariota. Washington labeled the hamstring “low-grade,” which typically calls for a short recovery if progress holds.

The next checkpoint arrives quickly. Washington hosts Seattle on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Week 9. Practice participation and post-practice responses will guide the decision.

Context matters for the season arc. Daniels already missed two games earlier this year because of a left knee sprain. Even with the interruptions, he has logged 1,031 passing yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and 211 rushing yards with one rushing score.

Mariota steps back in with experience. He has 426 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions this season across relief and starting duty. The staff will lean on quick-game concepts and run-pass options to stabilize the offense.

How the Commanders Adjust Right Now

The plan is simple on paper. Limit negative plays, protect field position, and reduce exposure for a receiver room that has juggled injuries. Washington’s defense must buy time by creating short fields and third-and-long scenarios.

The bigger picture is keeping Daniels healthy for the stretch run. Hamstring strains can linger if rushed. Dual-threat quarterbacks place extra load on those muscle groups with accelerations and rollouts.

Expect a conservative ramp-up if he returns in Week 9. Limited reps early in the week would be a positive sign. Full-speed work without soreness is the final hurdle.

Seattle’s front will test pocket movement and scramble checks. If Daniels is not cleared, Mariota’s mobility still offers designed keepers and boot action. The goal is to keep the playbook intact while trimming high-risk calls.

However this week plays out, Washington’s margin in the NFC race is thin. Decisions over the next 7-10 days will balance short-term results with long-term availability. That is the right calculus in late October.

Bottom line: Jayden Daniels’ hamstring is trending as a short-term issue. He missed Week 8 by design to avoid a setback. His Week 9 status against Seattle will come down to practice benchmarks and medical clearance.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is Jayden Daniels playing in Week 8?

No. He was ruled out for Monday Night Football at the Chiefs on October 27, 2025. Marcus Mariota starts.

Q2: What is the exact injury and severity?

A low-grade right hamstring strain. Imaging showed no long-term damage.

Q3: When could he return?

The team has not set a date. Week 9 vs Seattle on November 2 is the next decision point based on practice progress.

Q4: Who replaces him while he recovers?

Marcus Mariota. He has already made multiple appearances and has three touchdown passes this season.

Q5: How has Daniels performed in 2025?

He has 1,031 passing yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, plus 211 rushing yards and a rushing TD. He earlier missed time with a knee sprain.