Through seven games in 2025, the Washington Commanders are 3-4. In Week 7, the Commanders were on the road to face the Cowboys. Dallas won the game 44-22 vs. Washington.
During that loss, Commanders starting QB Jayden Daniels suffered a hamstring strain. He exited the game early, and Marcus Mariota came in and finished the contest. NFL insiders reported on Wednesday that Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for Week 8 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. Marcus Mariota will start his third game of the season for Washington.
Jayden Daniels will not be available for the Commanders in Week 8
Jayden Daniels is out for this week with a low-grade hamstring strain, per source. Not a long-term injury but Commanders don’t want to risk it
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 22, 2025
After starting all 17 games for the Commanders in 2024, Jayden Daniels has not experienced the same injury luck. Through Washington’s first seven games in 2025, Daniels has already missed two games due to a knee injury. Against the Cowboys in Week 7, Jayden Daniels suffered a hamstring injury. The 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has been ruled out in Week 8 due to a hamstring strain. It will be his third game missed of the season.
In his place, Marcus Mariota will start in Week 8 for the Commanders. The 31-year-old is in his 11th professional season and second with Washington. He’s appeared in three games and made two starts for the Commanders. Marcus Mariota is 1-1 in his two starts. Earlier in the season, Mariota led Washington to a 41-24 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. In Week 4, Mariota and the Commanders lost 34-27 to the Falcons.
Breaking: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will not play in Monday night’s game against the Chiefs, a source told @john_keim and @JFowlerESPN. Marcus Mariota will start.
Daniels is suffering from a low-grade hamstring strain, a source said. It is not considered a long-term injury. pic.twitter.com/7v9pxNmvrF
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2025
When Jayden Daniels went down in Week 7, Marcus Mariota came in and finished the game. He was 4-10 passing for 63 yards and one interception. Currently, Jayden Daniels is dealing with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 7. On Wednesday, October 22, Daniels was ruled out for the Commanders. They are on the road for an MNF matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Washington lost in Week 7 to the Cowboys, and they are 3-4 this season. According to ESPN Stats and Analytics, the Commanders have a 21% chance to make the playoffs in 2025. If the Commanders lose in Week 8, that number will only drop. The team cannot afford for Jayden Daniels to miss extended time. However, Washington has to consider the health of their starting QB long-term.