Chiefs Get Major Week 8 Update After Commanders Injury News
The Kansas City Chiefs are riding high, having won four out of their last five and disposed of contending opponents like the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions, in addition to dismantling and shutting out division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders at home in week 7, 31-0.
Heading into week 8, the team was already relatively strong favorites to take care of business against what has been an up-and-down Washington Commanders team, who are coming off of a 22-point loss against the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.
Now, it seems like the Chiefs’ NFC East opponents will be without their franchise signal caller, Jayden Daniels, who – per Ian Rapoport – will not play on Monday night.
#Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on Sunday, is going to be out for MNF against the #Chiefs, sources say.
Marcus Mariota gets the start.
“Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on Sunday, is going to be out for MNF against the Chiefs, sources say.” Rapoport reported on Wednesday, through his post on X. “Marcus Mariota gets the start.”
Chiefs Will Face Marcus Mariota On Monday Night
Marcus Mariota will be the stand-in on Monday, according to Rapoport. And whilst he is certainly not the quarterback Daniels is, he has been a competent backup whose play-style broadly mimics that of Daniels’, making the offensive transition from one QB to the QB other fairly seamless.
The former #2 overall pick is 1-1 in his two starts this season to-date; as Jayden Daniels’ injury woes continue to form a major cloud over this Washington season; and over three games played has 426 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions for a 85.8 passer rating, in addition to 94 yards rushing, with one further touchdown on the ground.
Although Mariota is a slight downgrade for Washington, and perhaps an easier opponent for the Chiefs, the Commanders will be buoyed by the returns of former All-Pro wideouts, Deebo Samuel Sr. and Terry McLaurin, who both sat out in week 7, but are both expected to have full weeks of practice leading up to the bout against KC.
What Is The State Of The Chiefs’ Offense After 7 Weeks?
The Chiefs saw the return of WR1, Rashee Rice, in the drubbing of the Raiders last weekend, who caught 7 passes for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 7. Rice was having a career year in 2024 before a week 4 knee injury saw him miss the remainder of the season.
The former SMU star was then suspended for the first six games of the 2025 season in response to his involvement in a multi-vehicle crash the previous year, so Sunday marked his first game back in action in over a full calendar year.
Through the offensive struggles of the early season in 2025, which saw the Chiefs start 2-3, the defense remained one of the better units in the league, ranking 5th in total defense – including 4th in passing defense.
And now with the return of their better offensive pieces, including Rice and former first round pick, Xavier Worthy, who returned to the fold in week 4 after missing the bulk for the first three games due to a dislocated shoulder, Patrick Mahomes and the offense have started to hum once again.
Steelers Get Positive Injury Update on Calvin Austin III
The Pittsburgh Steelers feature one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL. But in Week 8, the team’s offense could also have back one of its starting wide receivers — Calvin Austin III.
According to the Steelers official injury report, Austin fully practiced Wednesday. It was the first time the fourth-year wideout was back on the field without limitations since suffering his shoulder injury in Week 4.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor also reported Austin was back at practice.
Austin left in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings on September 28. Initial reports indicated that he would need a stint on injured reserve. If the team had placed Austin on IR, then he would have been sidelined through Week 9.
But it appears he has a shot to play in Week 8. The Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Austin has posted 10 catches for 139 yards with two touchdowns in four games this season. He had 548 yards on 36 receptions with four scores in 17 games last year.
Steelers’ Calvin Austin III Trending Toward Return in Week 8
The Steelers passing attack has managed to survive without Austin and with its lack of receiving depth thanks to the team’s tight ends. In Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, all four receiving touchdowns for Pittsburgh were tight end catches.
But if Austin returns, the Steelers will have another receiver opposite DK Metcalf who can take the top off a defense. Last season, Austin averaged 15.2 yards per catch.
Without Austin the past two games, Roman Wilson has played more. Wilson, though, still isn’t getting a lot of targets.
In Week 7, he caught two passes for 17 yards. While that’s not an impressive line, it was the first time Wilson had two catches in an NFL game.
Should Austin return, Wilson can move back into his WR3 role. The Steelers also have Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek for receiver depth.
Austin returns punts on special teams as well. The past two games, Ke’Shawn Williams, as a practice squad elevation, has returned punts in place of Austin.
Steelers’ Zach Frazier Limited at Wednesday’s Practice
In general, the Steelers seem to be getting healthier every week. But one surprising addition to the injury report Wednesday was center Zach Frazier.
The second-year center was limited because of a calf injury.
Frazier didn’t miss any offensive snaps against the Bengals last Thursday. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also didn’t mention the center’s injury after the game or during his Tuesday press conference.
It’s not clear whether that’s because Frazier’s ailment is minor or if it’s a new injury. How much Frazier practices Thursday and Friday will better indicate what his availability could be in Week 8.
Along with Austin, rookie quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Malik Harrison fully practiced. If either are going to dress in Week 8, the Steelers will have to activate them.
The team opened Howard’s 21-day practice window Wednesday. The Steelers did that one day after releasing quarterback Logan Woodside from the practice squad.
Veterans T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward didn’t practice Wednesday. Both received a rest day.
