Some fans won't like it. But it's the likeliest course of action right now. If Daniels makes a satisfactory recovery during his rehabilitation process, it'll be all systems go.
Insider drops Jayden Daniels update that shuts down the heated debate
Posted November 21, 2025
The Washington Commanders are having, or will have, difficult conversations during their bye week. And the status of quarterback Jayden Daniels remains a source of fierce debate among the fan base.
Daniels has appeared just six times this season due to multiple injuries. First, it was a knee sprain. Then, it was a low-grade hamstring strain and a gruesome dislocated elbow that could have been a lot worse.
The former LSU standout didn't go to injured reserve, putting him in play to return at some stage after the bye week. When that'll be is anyone's guess, but one respected NFL insider stated that it's a case of when, not if, Daniels makes his triumphant return in 2025.
NFL insider believes it's when, not if, Jayden Daniels returns in 2025
Dan Graziano of ESPN stated that the debate over whether Daniels should be shut down isn't happening in the building. When he gets the all-clear to participate, the Commanders plan to get him back in the lineup, regardless of how things are going.
"As for [Jayden] Daniels, the Commanders have a bye this week and will examine everything. They've lost six games in a row to drop to 3-8 in what looked like a promising season, and there has been external debate about whether it makes sense to bring back Daniels at all this season. From what I've been told, the plan in Washington is still that Daniels will return to the starting lineup once doctors clear him from his elbow injury."Dan Graziano
Nothing has been confirmed, of course. But any notion that the Commanders are going to shut Daniels down if they keep losing seems far-fetched. And in all honesty, fans shouldn't have expected any other outcome.
This is the NFL, one of the most violent sports anywhere in the world. Anyone can get hurt at any time. That's just the way it is, and everyone accepts it.
Daniels has suffered more injuries than most this season, but that doesn't mean the Commanders should be scared in their approach. And the dynamic signal-caller has a competitive spirit that makes it difficult to rein him in.
If it's a token gesture for the final game, there's little point. But the prognosis suggests that Daniels will be back a lot sooner, and with the need to salvage some semblance of respectability from the campaign, the Commanders need their franchise player under center.
Chiefs Have Clear Expectations for Xavier Worthy in Potential Return
Early in the season, the Kansas City Chiefs are in somewhat rare territory. Head coach Andy Reid’s team sits at 1-2 on the year, and Week 4’s bout against the Baltimore Ravens doesn’t mark the beginning of an easier path.
One thing that could help alleviate some of that pressure would be the return of wide receiver Xavier Worthy. He started the week as a full participant in practice, and there’s significant optimism for him to play on Sunday.
If Worthy indeed does get back in the lineup, Kansas City has clear expectations for him.
Xavier Worthy ‘Ready to Go’ Whenever Chiefs Need Him to Return
Speaking to the media on Thursday, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy opened up about Worthy’s status. He believes the club’s 2024 first-round pick is a major component of the offense, which is why there’s been caution regarding his return-to-play progress.
“Well, he’s such a big part of this offense,” Nagy said. “He’s been so instrumental in training camp and OTAs. Coming back this second year, he’s so anxious to get back out there and show us what he can do and show us the growth and then all of a sudden, that happens in Week 1. So now, coming back, I thought last week was a positive. This week, excited. He’s doing really well, he’s running around, he looks good out there.
“We’re just literally taking it day-by-day, and I like where he’s at. It’s exciting. The room, the vibe, getting Rashee [Rice] back in the meetings, there’s a great chemistry. We know where we’re at at 1-2, we understand the significance of this game, but it’s slowly coming back to that vibe. Xavier’s a big part of that.”
In Week 1’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Worthy collided with tight end Travis Kelce on the Chiefs’ opening possession. That forced him out of action with a dislocated shoulder, but he’ll soon attempt to play through the discomfort.
If this week of practice is any indication, he’s chomping at the bit. Wide receivers coach Connor Embree gave his young wideout a vote of confidence.
“Yeah, oh yeah, he’s ready to go,” Embree said. “Just like you said, it’s been a couple of months since he’s really played a game. He played three snaps in the first game and has been out since. He’s ready to go.”
No Restrictions Expected for Worthy With Ball in Hands
In recent weeks, there’s been plenty of speculation about Worthy’s injury. With a torn labrum, his shoulder carries an increased risk of dislocating again. Whether it be extending for a catch, landing wrong or merely getting jammed at the line of scrimmage, there’s a heightened sense of snap-to-snap uncertainty that must be accounted for.
While the Chiefs are indeed factoring that in, they don’t plan to treat Worthy with kid gloves. Embree says fellow receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has experience working through a similar ailment. That advice will help Worthy, but Kansas City expects him to tough it out and play his normal brand of football once it’s time.
“Again, we’ve had a couple of guys on the team with the same injury,” Embree said. “JuJu’s one of those guys. He’s kind of talked to him [about] what to expect and kind of what to watch out for. I’m not like, ‘Hey, once you get the ball, slide or jump out of bounds.’ He’s got to play football. If he’s out there, he’s got to protect himself whether he’s got an injury or not. We haven’t really talked to him about, ‘hey, go slide’ or anything. If he’s out there, he’s going to be playing.”
Regardless of whether he sports a brace or plays on a snap count, Worthy’s eventual presence will help the Chiefs’ offense. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making things work as best he can with a skeleton crew, but no Worthy or Rice makes for a tough set of circumstances.
In some ways, Kansas City has played with one arm instead of two. Their hope is Worthy can soon at least try to do the same.
