The Washington Commanders handled business in their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, walking away with a 20-7 win in front of more than 50,000 home fans at Northwest Stadium. Even more impressive, they did it without some of their best players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and running back Rachaad White, while the Dolphins played their full complement of starters. But the Commanders face a much tougher test this week on the road against the Detroit Lions, and the question has naturally become whether fans will finally get to see their franchise quarterback and new offensive weapon in action.
On Thursday, head coach Dan Quinn addressed the status of both players, telling reporters he'll play "a good amount" of starters against the Lions on Saturday, though Daniels' availability will depend on who else is in the lineup. White, meanwhile, will miss the game entirely with a hamstring injury. More news: Malik Willis Praises Competitive Fire in Dolphins’ Unproven WR Room More news: Kevin O’Connell Drops Hint on JJ McCarthy’s Future With Vikings With Marcus Mariota still recovering from an MCL sprain suffered during the Dolphins game, not having Daniels available would put the Commanders in a tough spot.
Next up on the depth chart would be either third-year player Sam Hartman or seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. Both appeared in the preseason opener against Miami, with Kaliakmanis looking like the sharper of the two, finishing 6-of-10 for 87 yards in his first live NFL action. Still, with the regular season just weeks away, this matchup with the Lions would have been a prime opportunity for Daniels to get in valuable reps.
He missed most of last season due to injury, and how far Washington goes in 2026 will hinge on whether he can recapture the elite form that earned him Pro Bowl honors as a rookie two years ago. White's situation is a bit more concerning. He tweaked his hamstring during a joint practice with the Dolphins, and while it's considered minor, hamstring strains are the type of injury that can linger if not managed carefully.
White was expected to complement Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the backfield and take on a significant role in his first season with the Commanders. More news: Eagles’ $100 Million Man in Doubt for Week 1
Extract — continue reading at the source.
