Jayden Daniels sends Commanders fans into a frenzy with shocking injury claim
All eyes will be on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels after the bye week. Debates have been raging about when, or if, the dynamic signal-caller would feature again this season. But that didn't stop him from sending fans into a frenzy with a shocking claim.
The Commanders didn't place Daniels on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. There was no structural or ligament damage, which represented the best-case scenario after a scary-looking complication. The timeline was reportedly between three and six weeks, but some experts didn't think it was worth putting him in the firing line with Washington playing for nothing other than pride.
There are valid arguments for both. However, Daniels is ultra-competitive. If he's healthy enough to compete and help his teammates, he wants to be out there.
Jayden Daniels plans to make Commanders return in Week 13 against the Broncos
According to the player, he could even be on the field in Week 13 when the Commanders host the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
Brandon Aiyuk, who's a close friend of Daniels' from their time together at Arizona State, FaceTimed the signal-caller during a social media video. The wide receiver asked the No. 2 pick in 2024 if he would be back this week, and the answer was a resounding yes.
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This was surprising. Not many thought Daniels would get back so quickly. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, but he's clearly confident of passing specific tests after a prolonged rest period to take his place back in the lineup.
The Commanders would have a simple decision to make if Daniels practices throughout the week. Denver boasts one of the most formidable pass-rushing units anywhere in the league, but head coach Dan Quinn cannot be scared to throw the LSU product into the prime-time fire once again.
Daniels is bullish. He urged Aiyuk, who could be joining his old college teammate in Washington next season if he's released by the San Francisco 49ers as expected, to tune in. He clearly feels he is making encouraging progress, which represents the most encouraging sign yet that the Commanders will get their franchise player back on the field much sooner than initially anticipated.
It remains a wait-and-see scenario. The Commanders will still approach Daniels with extreme caution. Taking things step by step is key, and the Heisman Trophy winner will only be risked if there is 100 percent confidence in his outlook.
The Broncos will be preparing for both Daniels and Marcus Mariota, especially after this revelation. But when it seemed all hope was lost, fans got something positive to latch onto.
T.J. Watt Criticizes Steelers’ Defensive Struggles After Loss to Bears: ‘Same Story’
In a lot of ways, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense put together a strong effort on the road against the Chicago Bears. T.J. Watt and company held the league’s No. 2 run offense to 99 yards and forced two takeaways. One of those turnovers resulted in a touchdown recovery.
But one problem still plagued the Steelers defense.
The Bears went 7-for-13 on third down. It was the sixth time in the past seven games that an opponent converted at least six third downs against the Steelers defense.
Watt addressed that issue in front of reporters after the team’s Week 12 loss in Chicago.
“A lot of second-and-longs that I can remember that either turned into third-and-shorts and were converted or were converted from second-and-long,” Watt told the media. “Same story, man. Gotta get off the field.”
Entering Week 12, the Steelers defense had allowed the third-most third-down conversions in the NFL this season. At 41.7%, the team also came into Sunday ranked 25th in third-down conversion rate allowed.
Chicago converted 53.8% of its third downs in Week 12. The Bears were also 1-for-1 on fourth down.
Steelers Defense Struggling on Third Down
Head coach Mike Tomlin often talks about the possession downs. The Steelers offense has improved a little bit on third down after a rough couple weeks in October.
But the defense has continued to be just average, at best, on stopping third downs.
From Weeks 8-11, the Steelers never allowed an opponent to convert more than half of their third downs. But the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals all extended drives in some key instances. It resulted in more plays and time of possession against the Steelers defense.
Against the Packers and Chargers, the Pittsburgh defense eventually wore down in losses.
The opposite actually happened Sunday in Chicago. The Steelers offense controlled possession for much of the fourth quarter. That helped the Steelers defense post a couple three-and-outs in the final stanza.
But it wasn’t enough. The Bears converted seven of their first 11 third-down tries on their way to scoring 31 points.
T.J. Watt Creates Splash Play in Losing Effort
Watt hasn’t had as many game-changing plays in 2025 as past years. Early in the second quarter Sunday, though, Watt created pressure on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Steelers edge rusher knocked the ball out in the end zone. Fellow edge rusher Nick Herbig recovered the fumble for a touchdown.
The play gave the Steelers a 14-7 lead. Pittsburgh recorded another takeaway in the second quarter. But the offense couldn’t take advantage of that opportunity.
The Steelers failed to take a two-possession lead, and with a stalled offense in the third quarter, the Bears used their third-down conversion rate to go ahead by 10.
Chicago recorded 328 offensive yards, including 229 passing yards. While not overly impressive totals for the Steelers defense, the Bears were under their offensive average for the season.
But Chicago’s third-down conversion rate was higher than the offense has posted this season. Williams and the Bears offense on third down was a big reason why they were able to overcome Watt’s forced fumble and the other turnover.
