Kansas City, MO – October 22, 2025
The Washington Commanders are facing a major setback ahead of their clash with the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels
is expected to miss Monday night’s game due to a hamstring injury — a blow that could reshape the entire offensive plan.
Daniels, who has been the heartbeat of Washington’s offense this season, suffered the injury in the team’s Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Early reports suggest the issue is moderate, but the Commanders are not taking chances with their franchise star. Without him, the team’s ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays will be tested more than ever.
That pressure now falls squarely on Deebo Samuel, the explosive playmaker Washington acquired to elevate their offense in 2025. Samuel’s versatility as both a receiver and runner has already given the Commanders new life — but without Daniels’ dual-threat presence, his role is expected to expand even further.
“We’ll rally around whoever’s out there,” Samuel said earlier this week. “But obviously, when Jayden’s in the game, everything flows different. He brings a spark you can’t replace — you just try to match it.”
Head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury now face the challenge of building a game plan that keeps Kansas City’s defense guessing. Backup quarterback Sam Howell is preparing to start, while Samuel and rookie wideout Luke McCaffrey could see increased touches in short-yardage and motion-based plays.
For the Chiefs, the timing couldn’t be better. Kansas City’s defense — led by Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie — has thrived at disrupting young quarterbacks, and without Daniels’ mobility, the Commanders may have to lean heavily on quick passes and ball control.
Still, inside Washington’s locker room, there’s belief that this is an opportunity rather than a setback. Samuel, now the emotional leader of the offense, has made it clear the team won’t fold under pressure.
“We’ve got fight in this room,” he said. “We’ll go to Kansas City and play our brand of football — physical, fearless, and together.”
Monday night’s showdown was supposed to highlight the growing chemistry between Daniels and Samuel — two players meant to redefine the Commanders’ offense. Instead, it may reveal something else: just how resilient this team really is.
