Commanders Eye Crucial Win Against Seahawks with Jayden Daniels’ Possible Return

The Washington Commanders are gearing up for a critical matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, potentially with quarterback Jayden Daniels returning from injury. Seattle, currently holding a record of 5-2, aims to maintain its position in the NFC West race, while Washington seeks to break a three-game losing streak.

Seattle’s recent success includes two consecutive wins, allowing them to tie with the Los Angeles Rams at the top of the division, just ahead of the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Mike Macdonald expressed optimism regarding the team’s performance, stating, “We’re doing a lot of great things in terms of finishing plays, and there’s more to be had in really all three phases.”

In contrast, the Commanders, with a record of 3-5, are facing mounting pressure following a 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite a competitive first half where the score was tied at 7-7, Washington struggled to maintain momentum. The team now finds itself three games behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and must consider this upcoming game a potential turning point, especially with the Detroit Lions visiting next week.

Daniels, who has missed one game due to a right hamstring injury, expressed hope for his return, saying, “If everything goes right, hopefully I’m out there Sunday night.” However, the Commanders will be without wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who re-injured his right quad during the game against the Chiefs. Coach Dan Quinn commented, “Bummed for him. Bummed for us. (It’s) just tough,” indicating the impact of McLaurin’s absence on the team’s offensive strategy.

Both left tackle Laremy Tunsil and kicker Matt Gay did not participate in practice on Wednesday, though Quinn stated he would have a clearer idea of their availability by Friday.

Washington’s defense had shown promise by intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice in the first half of Monday’s game. Yet, they faltered in the second half, conceding touchdowns on three consecutive drives. Quinn noted improvements, saying, “Arrow going up and we’ve still got a lot of our story to write on defense.”

Despite their struggles, the Commanders’ defense, featuring former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, is currently allowing an average of 372.8 yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL. They will face a Seahawks offense that is averaging 350.6 yards per game, ranked 11th in the league.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold comes off a performance against the Houston Texans where he completed 17 of 31 passes for 213 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Notably, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been impactful recently, averaging eight catches for 139 yards and a touchdown over his past three games.

Seattle’s kicker Jason Myers has successfully converted 13 of 17 field-goal attempts, including 4 of 6 from distances exceeding 50 yards. In comparison, Gay has hit 10 of 14, with 4 of 7 from similar distances.

If Daniels is unable to play, Marcus Mariota would start his fourth game of the season. Mariota’s performance against the Chiefs saw him pass for 213 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Macdonald noted that both quarterbacks effectively run their offense, suggesting that the preparation for the game will remain consistent regardless of who takes the snap.

In terms of player health, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon fully participated in practice on Wednesday, while outside linebacker Derick Hall was limited, and wide receiver/kick returner Dareke Young did not practice. The Seahawks have also signed former Bears, Falcons, and Saints receiver/kick returner Velus Jones Jr. to their practice squad. Seattle rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts returned to practice, but safety Julian Love missed practice and may not participate in Sunday’s game.

The Seahawks won the last meeting between these two teams, edging out the Commanders 29-26 thanks to a last-second field goal by Myers on November 12, 2023. As both teams prepare for this crucial contest, the stakes are high for Washington, who must secure a win to remain competitive in the NFC East.