Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels will return to action when the Commanders visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.
Meanwhile, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will be operating behind a decimated offensive line as Los Angeles looks to bounce back from a 21-18 road loss to the New York Giants.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn announced Friday that Daniels, who missed the past two games with a left knee injury sustained in a Sept. 11 loss at Green Bay, was cleared to play. Daniels, who will wear a knee brace Sunday, was a full participant at practice all week.
“If you let me tell it, I would’ve wanted to play two weeks ago,” Daniels said midweek. “But I guess in their eyes, probably this past weekend is when I started feeling like myself.”
Daniels, who grew up in San Bernardino, would be playing an NFL game in California for the first time. It is approximately 75 miles from San Bernardino to Inglewood.
Washington wide receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) will sit out. Brown will miss his third straight game, and McLaurin will sit out for the second consecutive game. Guard Sam Cosmi (knee) also will sit out.
A surprise on the injury report was wide receiver Deebo Samuel (heel), who missed two practice sessions before returning Friday. He is good to for Sunday.
Daniels will be facing the NFL’s third-ranked defense, as the Chargers are allowing only 270 yards per game. Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu finished the Giants game with career highs in tackles (10), solo tackles (seven), tackles for loss (five) and sacks (four).
Washington (2-2), which trails the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) in the NFC East, split its past two games, and offense was not an issue. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota completed a combined 31 of 48 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
The Commanders’ offense scored 27 points last Sunday, but the defense gave up 34 in a road loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Washington’s defense is ranked 24th in the NFL, allowing 356 yards per game, and 27th in opponents’ passing, yielding 248.5 yards per game.
Atlanta picked up 24 first downs and gained 435 yards against Washington, going 6-for-12 on third down. According to Pro Football Focus, the Commanders missed 12 tackles.
“We’ve got to figure out what we’re doing wrong and get it right,” Washington defensive end Dorance Armstrong said. “ASAP.”
The AFC West-leading Chargers (3-1) are also looking to bounce back but will have to do it without their best offensive lineman. Left tackle Joe Alt sustained a high ankle sprain in the first quarter on Sunday, didn’t practice all week and was officially ruled out.
“Don’t want to speculate on the degree,” coach Jim Harbaugh said of Alt. “We’ll take it day by day. … We’ll see about next week.”
Los Angeles has already lost tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending patellar tendon tear. Guard Mekhi Becton (concussion protocol) was listed as questionable.
The Chargers signed tackle Foster Sarell to the active roster. He made three starts across 36 games with the team from 2022-25.
Herbert was hit 12 times, sacked twice and intercepted twice against the Giants. He has been sacked 12 times through four games, tied for fifth most in the NFL.
Looking ahead to opposing the Commanders, Herbert said, “They’re a really veteran group and they’re really well-coached and hardly ever are they out of position. They’ve got a lot of talented guys, a lot of guys who have been playing in some really big football games.”
Los Angeles will look to improve its discipline after committing 14 penalties for 107 yards against the Giants.
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen needs two catches to reach 1,000 for his career.
The Chargers will be without receiver Derius Davis (knee). Tight ends Will Dissly (knee) and Tucker Fisk (toe) are questionable.
The Commanders lead the all-time series 7-5. The visiting Chargers won the most recent meeting 20-16 in 2021.
–Field Level Media
