Tag: 2024 NFL preseason

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will not play in the preseason finale

Jayden Daniels will not play in the preseason finale.

After being named the starting quarterback earlier this week, Jayden Daniels will not play in Washington’s preseason finale on Sunday.

Head coach Dan Quinn made it official Friday morning.

“He will not,” Quinn said.

This is no surprise. Daniels played in three series over two games, completing 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards and rushed for 16 yards and a touchdown. Most NFL teams sit their starters for the preseason finale.

The third preseason was once called the “dress rehearsal,” but since it was cut down to three games, it has moved up a week, and teams are participating in more joint practices. The Commanders had joint practices against their first two preseason opponents, the Jets and Dolphins, which provided excellent work for Daniels.

NFL teams do not have long after this weekend’s slate of games to trim their roster to 53 players. The deadline is on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

PHOTOS: Photos from Commanders’ Week 2 preseason game vs. Dolphins

The best images from Saturday’s game between the Dolphins and Commanders.

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 13-6 on Saturday in Week 2 NFL preseason action. While the end result didn’t go in Washington’s favor, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels had another strong outing.

Daniels completed 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards and rushed for 13 yards on two attempts. Daniels played two series and has completed 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards in two preseason games (three drives).

The Commanders did not score a touchdown against the Dolphins, and kicker Riley Patterson missed two of his four field goal attempts.

Here’s a look at the best images from Saturday’s preseason game between the Dolphins and Commanders.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels with another solid preseason performance vs. Dolphins

Another good night for Daniels.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels played two series in the Week 2 preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. In two preseason games, Daniels has played three series and has completed 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards. He’s also carried the ball three times for 16 yards and a touchdown.

In his first NFL series against the Jets last week, Daniels led the Commanders on a touchdown drive. Against the Dolphins, Daniels engineered two potential scoring drives, one of which led to a field goal, while the other fell short after kicker Riley Patterson missed a field goal.

Against Miami, Daniels looked comfortable leading Washington’s offense despite some offensive line concerns. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury called a conservative game plan, and Daniels got rid of the ball quickly and put it into the hands of his playmakers. While Kingsbury isn’t showing much of his offense in the preseason, that strategy is likely one the Commanders will use this season to keep Daniels from taking too many hits.

With one preseason game remaining, does Daniels need to play again? The third preseason was once the dress rehearsal for NFL teams, but with the reduced preseason schedule, the third game has now essentially become the fourth game where the starters do not play.

Washington coaches also benefited from joint practices against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. Daniels was reportedly phenomenal in Thursday’s practice against the Dolphins.

The Commanders have had a strong plan for Daniels since drafting him in April. They haven’t deviated from that plan, and Daniels has rewarded their patience.

Don’t be surprised if head coach Dan Quinn officially announces Daniels as the starting quarterback soon.

Dolphins lead Commanders 10-6 at halftime

Dolphins lead Commanders 10-6 at halftime.

The Miami Dolphins lead the Washington Commanders 10-6 at halftime in their Week 2 preseason game.

Washington received the opening kickoff and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels moved the ball down the field, using his arms and his legs. However, the Commanders’ drive stalled, and they attempted a field goal, which kicker Riley Patterson missed from 49 yards out.

The Dolphins’ first-team offense moved the ball surgically down the field against Washington’s defense, which was a mix of starters and backups. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was perfect on the day.

Daniels would play one more drive for Washington, which resulted in Patterson making a 46-yard field goal. Daniels departed after completing 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards and rushing for 13 yards on two attempts.

Jeff Driskel relieved Daniels and completed seven of his 10 attempts for 57 yards. Washington’s top offensive highlight in the first half was Driskel’s 41-yard run on a drive where Patterson missed another field goal.

Driskel led another scoring drive late in the second quarter, as Patterson made a 38-yard field goal. Washington’s kicker made two of four attempts in the first half and is two of five in the preseason.

Washington running back Brian Robinson Jr. looked good in the first half, rushing for 22 yards on three attempts. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught two passes for 27 yards. Starting linebacker Frankie Luvu led the Commanders with four tackles.

Several Commanders defenders must stand out vs. Dolphins

Some defensive players who need to stand out against the Dolphins.

It’s not too complicated; who was the worst defense in the NFL last season?

For starters, the Commanders gave up the most in the entire league, surrendering 518 points.

If that is not enough, the Commanders surrendered 6,612 yards, and the closest to Washington was the Bengals, with 6,368. Imagine giving up 5.9 yards every play, and that’s just what the Commanders did, second only to the Bengals, who surrendered 6.0.

The passing defense was so bad that it gave up 4,447 passing yards (dead last) and 39 passing touchdowns, again, dead last.

Saturday against the Dolphins, some returning players are going to need to stand up and frankly show they want to make the 53-man roster. So, let’s start by looking up front at who needs to make a good impression.

Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was a second-round Ron Rivera selection (2022), and he needs some good tape soon. Returning ends KJ Henry and Andre Jones, chosen by Rivera in 2023, need to make some plays if they are to convince coaches not to replace them.

Not to be overlooked is defensive end Clelin Ferrell. He was not drafted by Rivera but signed by Adam Peters as a free agent. Amazingly, the Raiders selected him 4th overall in 2019. Yet, he only received a one-year deal from the Commanders that no one else was looking to better. Ferrell needs to show Dan Quinn and Peters he can play effectively, producing a pass rush on the edge.

Then there is Jamin Davis. He is going to see time again at defensive end. Davis made some nice plays against the run while also giving up a big run of 20 yards. He has also been working with assistant coach Ryan Kerrigan, attempting to learn and develop some pass-rushing moves.

Peters said he had a lot of work to do when he took the job, rebuilding the roster. It’s up to these players to step up and keep their jobs and their place in the NFL.

 

NFL reporter on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: ‘Comfortable and in-control’

More praise for Daniels coming out of the joint practice.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has impressed everyone since arriving in the NFL in April. Teammates and coaches praised Daniels’ talent and preparation off the field.

Daniels has had an excellent training camp. After splitting first-team reps with veteran Marcus Mariota early in camp, Daniels began to take the majority of those reps in the second week of camp and hasn’t looked back.

In his first preseason game against the New York Jets, Daniels played one drive, completed two of three passes for 45 yards, including a dime to wide receiver Dyami Brown, and finished the drive with a touchdown run.

You couldn’t have scripted a better debut.

This week, the Commanders had their second joint training camp practice, this time with the Miami Dolphins. How would Daniels do against Miami?

Daniels was terrific, throwing multiple touchdowns before former Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller intercepted him to end practice. Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin fell on the route.

Reporters in attendance who cover the Dolphins were impressed.

Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network was present during Friday’s practice and offered the following analysis:

“Came away very impressed watching Jayden Daniels Thursday against that Dolphins defense; he saw a lot of exotic blitz looks and really looked comfortable and in control,” Wolfe said. “Now, Miami didn’t have Jalen Ramsey or Jevon Holland, but one thing that really stood out is watching him in the red zone; there was a period where he had five straight touchdown passes in the red zone, including several over the middle of the field, which was a question mark for him coming out of college. He’s really excelled and processing in that area.”

Wolfe said Daniels told him after the practice that he was excited to see Miami’s blitzes because they had a different look. With Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers on the schedule in Week 1, it was good practice for him.

How much will Daniels play against the Dolphins in Saturday’s preseason game? According to Wolfe, head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels will play one or two series with the first-team offense as the team is comfortable with the work Daniels had in the joint practice sessions.

Commanders WR Jahan Dotson acknowledges he’s not where he wants to be

Jahan Dotson understands he’s not where he wants to be and is working to change that.

It’s been a trying week for Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. In Washington’s preseason opener, Dotson led all wide receivers with 32 snaps played.

That immediately led to the question of why he played so much. Dotson was the presumed starter opposite Terry McLaurin. McLaurin played 11 snaps. Was Washington unhappy with Dotson?

During his press conference before Thursday’s practice against the Dolphins, head coach Dan Quinn said the Commanders are still searching for their No. 2 receiver.

“I would say we are right in the middle of it [the search for a No. 2 wide receiver],” Quinn said.

You can take these comments in multiple ways. Was Quinn trying to light a fire under Dotson? Or do the Commanders see others on the same level as Dotson?

McLaurin is the clear No. 1. Dyami Brown has had an outstanding training camp. Right now, he looks like he’s ahead of Dotson as the No. 2 receiver. The Commanders are working Dotson more in the slot this summer than in his first two years.

After Thursday’s practice against the Dolphins, Dotson acknowledged he’s not where he needs or wants to be.

“Yeah, I am trying to show what I can do every single day,” Dotson said. “Just be better than I was yesterday. I’m trying to grow every single day that I come out here. Trying to find something to get better at every single day.”

“I’m not where I want to be,” Dotson said via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I’m going to keep building every single day to make sure I’m where I want to be. … I feel like I’m getting pretty comfortable with the offense, especially moving inside and outside and being able to play almost every position we have in the wide receiver room.”

Dotson should be commended for speaking to reporters and being honest after a difficult week. He understands the spotlight is on him. If he rises to the challenge, he can look back at this as a turning point in his career.

Dotson showed flashes of excellence during his rookie season in 2022. However, like most of Washington’s roster, he struggled last season. The Commanders hope by moving Dotson to the slot, he can use his quickness and route-running to become a central part of Washington’s passing game.

Commanders’ Marcus Mariota injured, out for Saturday’s game

Marcus Mariota and Sam Hartman are out Saturday.

Injuries happen every season, but you certainly cringe when your second quarterback goes down.

That’s the situation for the Commanders as Dan Quinn announced backup quarterback Marcus Mariota won’t be playing Saturday against the Dolphins.

Mariota apparently has an injured groin, and the coaches aren’t comfortable asking him to play in Saturday’s second preseason game. Rather than risking further injury, Quinn has determined it best to rest Mariota on Saturday, keeping him out of the action and preventing him from further injury.

QB Sam Hartman (shoulder) was injured last week vs. the Jets and is also unable to play against the Dolphins. Quinn has yet to make clear how much starter Jayden Daniels will play. But Mariota’s injury most likely means Jeff Driskel will see the most action, with Trace McSorley finishing the game.

The former Oregon Duck quarterback spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans (2015-19), before moving westward to the Raiders (2020-21), Falcons (2022) and Eagles (2023).

Quinn has praised Mariota for his attitude and approach to this season. There had been some friction in Atlanta, with Mariota not finishing the season well with the Falcons (2022).

However, two seasons later, Mariota, according to Quinn has accepted his role as a supportive, veteran leader of the team in general, and the quarterback room and Jayden Daniels in particular.

Like Daniels, Mariota was drafted second overall in the NFL Draft (2015). Consequently, he understands the pressure of being the franchise quarterback, expected to rescue the team from the depths of the NFL. Therefore, Mariota could be a huge help psychologically, encouraging and mentoring Daniels.

 

Aaron Rodgers wore a coaching headset in NFL Preseason opener

Instead of bathing in sideline glory, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided he’d wear a team headset in week 1 of NFL Preseason.

Instead of bathing in sideline glory, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided he’d wear a team headset in week 1 of NFL Preseason.

While Rodgers trains through tedious reps at training camp, he and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett are simultaneously spending time establishing signal calls. This is likely an explanation for Rodgers’ headset gesture.

Having spent the entire season sidelined in 2023, Rodgers and Hackett will be looking to familiarize the younger players with play calling and signals. Both Jets’ reserve quarterbacks played well in the win over the Washington Commanders and Rodgers was fully involved in the play-by-play.

In Hackett’s offense, rookie running back Braelon Allen may be used in the HB-stretch run frequently, especially as a play audible from pass & PA pass plays.

Rodgers will also have to get in sync with wide receiver Mike Williams who just returned to camp early last week.

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Things will be a work in progress for Rodgers who is preparing to play at age 40. His leadership will be key this season for the New York Jets. For now, he’s prioritizing his reps as training camp continues.

New York Jets DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse looks impressive

New York Jets DB Jerrick Bernard-Converse had an impressive showing in NFL Preseason Week 1.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jaylen Daniels and his reserves enjoyed challenging New York Jets defensive back Jarrick Bernard Converse this past weekend.

The Commanders likely thought they would have an offensive field day with the Jets’ reserves. Instead, Washington discovered that Jets’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has addition personnel to wreak havoc on opposing offenses this upcoming season.

Moreover, Bernard-Converse was actually lining up versus the Commanders No. 1 quarterback, and top wide receivers in their week 1 preseason match-up. Perhaps Bernard-Converse might occupy the No. 3 slot of the Jets’ defensive back depth chart this fall. If so, he may recieve more target throws with opposing quarterbacks fearful of Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed.

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Fans should keep a close eye on Bernard-Congress throughout training camp, he may be destined to secure a spot as the slot corner in nickel personnel. Ultimately, Benrard-Converse showed a multifaceted skill set including closing-speed, open field tackling, and durability in NFL Preseason Week 1.