Injuries have been a major storyline of Jayden Daniels’ 2025 season. That will continue at least through Week 8

Daniels will miss Monday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a hamstring injury, and Marcus Mariota will get the start.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Wednesday that it’s not considered a long-term injury.

Daniels, 24, missed two games early in the 2025 season due to a sprained left knee, and also had to leave Week 7’s 44-22 loss against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter after injuring his left hamstring.

“Oh man, to see one of our leaders going down it definitely affected the team,” linebacker Frankie Luvu told reporters after the game. “He’s one of them guys we lean towards… I hope he comes back stronger than what he is.”

“It definitely hurt to see that,” wideout Jaylin Lane added. “It looks like he’s doing OK, but yeah, it’s always a next-man-up mentality.”

Daniels was phenomenal as a rookie, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and earning a Pro Bowl bid after throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 games, completing 69 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 891 yards and six scores and led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game.

Expectations were huge for both Daniels and the Commanders heading into 2025, though injury woes across the organization have tempered them. Any injury to Daniels only further hurts their chances.

Mariota will be making his third start of the season. He has thrown for 426 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in three appearances. The Commanders are 1-1 with him running the offense, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 and losing to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.