Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: 'I'm feeling good' after injury-filled season
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is preparing to participate in Saturday's inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Daniels is a co-captain along with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on Team Wildcats. The Wildcats will compete in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic against a Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts-led Team Founders squad and versus Team USA Flag Football members.
Daniels is coming off an injury-riddled 2025 season. The Commanders QB sprained hisknee in Week 2, injured his hamstring in Week 7 and suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 9. His various injuries limited him to just seven games.
The Commanders ultimately decided to shut Daniels down in December.
More: Brady, NFL stars to test flag football skills vs. Team USA ahead of Olympics debut
Three months later, Daniels is ready to play football again.
I'm feeling good," Daniels said at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Draft.
When USA TODAY Sports asked Daniels if he's 100% recovered from his injuries, he replied, Yeah."
The fact that Daniels is participating in this week's flag football competition is a positive sign that Daniels' injury-stricken year is behind him.
The Commanders were aggressive during the first wave of free agency, signing players they hope will contribute immediately, including edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson. Plus, they added tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White. But the Commanders need Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, to be healthy to reach their peak.
It will be interesting to see how much Daniels plays on Saturday with his priority being his NFL responsibilities. But the opportunity to play flag football does intrigue Daniels. The Fanatics Flag Football Classic could be a preview of what's to come in advance of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic flag football competition.
Daniels is from San Bernardino, roughly 60 miles east of Los Angeles, and is drawn about the possibility of playing Olympic flag football.
If the opportunity presents itself. Man, I have to think about it a lot (and) a long time," Daniels said. I grew up playing flag football, so it'll be fun."
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X@TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jayden Daniels injury: Commanders QB gives NFL offseason health update