The vast majority of the buzz leading up to this week’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders surrounds who will be under center for the home team.
Jayden Daniels’ availability remains in question after he suffered a knee sprain in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. Daniels did not practice Wednesday but did undergo a rehab session and do some throwing.
It remains to be seen if he’ll miss a start for the first time in his NFL career when the Commanders (1-1) take on the Raiders (1-1) Sunday afternoon in Landover, Md.
“We’re gonna be smart and not just fast in this assessment,” head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday. “This is a player that is absolutely wanting to do everything all the time. So, it was a good start to the week, for us — the throwing, the movements at the position.”
Daniels was sacked seven times in the first two games and the Commanders’ struggling pass protection faces another strong pass rush with Maxx Crosby and the Raiders coming to town. Las Vegas has six sacks in two games.
If Daniels can’t play, veteran Marcus Mariota will step in. Mariota, 31, played in three games off the bench last season for the Commanders. When Daniels exited the Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers with a rib injury, Mariota led Washington to a 40-7 victory, completing 18 of 23 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, he completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
The Raiders have some familiarity with Mariota from his time with the organization in 2020-21. However, head coach Pete Carroll is leaning towards Daniels being the starter based on his team’s preparation this week.
“We have a lot of background about Marcus on the staff, so we know what his capabilities are, we think,” Carroll said. “We’re preparing for both guys, but primarily for Jayden.”
The Commanders lost running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) and defensive end Deatrich Wise, Jr. (quad) for the season after both suffered injuries against the Packers. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round rookie who impressed in preseason, is expected to start on Sunday.
The Raiders, 20-9 losers to the visiting San Diego Chargers Monday night, are looking to jump-start their offense. They are averaging 14.5 points per game, second fewest in the league.
Geno Smith finished 24-of-43 passing for 180 yards, threw three picks and was sacked three times against Los Angeles. Running back Ashton Jeanty has 81 yards on 30 carries (2.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown in two games.
Tight end Brock Bowers did not practice until last Saturday and had five catches for 38 yards against the Chargers. He was targeted eight times and should be more of a factor on Sunday.
“I think you see we were just trying to get him out there and get him playing and he looked okay,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said. “We got to him in the second half more, but we really need him. We need him being active throughout the game.”
Looking to boost their pass rush with Wise out, the Commanders added veteran edge rusher Preston Smith on Wednesday. A second-round pick in 2015, Smith spent four seasons in Washington before moving on to Green Bay. The 32-year-old, who played for the Packers and Steelers last season, has 70.5 sacks in his 10-year career.
“I’m a guy who knows how to get to the quarterback,” Smith said. “I’m a guy who’s versatile…who can be used in any way. I can be an asset to this defense and this team overall.”
One advantage Washington has Sunday is rest. The Commanders last played on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Raiders played the second game of Monday night’s NFL doubleheader and will travel across the country on short rest.
Washington cornerback Jonathan Jones, who suffered a hamstring injury against Green Bay, was placed on injured reserve this week and will miss a minimum of four games.
Among those not practicing Wednesday in addition to Daniels were wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) and tight end John Bates (groin). Cornerback Trey Amos (shoulder), offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (shoulder), running back Jeremy McNichols (hamstring) and tight end Colson Yankoff (hip) were limited.
For the Raiders, Bowers, safety Jeremy Chinn (pectoral) and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (concussion) were limited on Wednesday.
