**Jayden Daniels Returns to Practice, Status Uncertain for Sunday's Game**

Jayden Daniels rejoined the Washington Commanders' practice sessions on Friday after suffering a rib injury. Despite this, there remains uncertainty about his availability for the upcoming weekend matchup.

Daniels had been absent from practice throughout the week following his injury sustained in a decisive victory against the Carolina Panthers. While initial reports suggested that Daniels might miss Friday's practice, head coach Dan Quinn clarified that the quarterback did participate in some drills. Quinn further mentioned that Daniels’ participation was more rigorous on Friday, leaving him as a game-time decision for Sunday’s face-off against the Chicago Bears.

If Daniels is unable to play, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is expected to start in his place. The potential game has a significant storyline, as it could feature Daniels, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, competing against Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall selection. This matchup would represent just the sixth instance in the NFL’s common draft era, which began in 1967, where quarterbacks taken first and second overall face each other in their rookie season.

The injury from which Daniels is recovering occurred on his first offensive play against the Panthers, a 46-yard run. Despite the injury, he continued to play the drive that concluded in a field goal before Mariota took over and led the team to a 40-7 victory. This win improved Washington’s record to 5-2.

Daniels, 23, was drafted second overall from LSU and has had an impressive start to his professional career. In the season so far, he has thrown six touchdown passes and added four rushing touchdowns, maintaining a league-leading completion percentage of 75.6 and holding the sixth spot in the NFL passer rating with 107.0. He has accumulated 1,410 passing yards and 372 rushing yards across all seven games this season.

Should Daniels be sidelined, Mariota, who showed strong performance with an 18-of-23 passing record for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, will step in as the starter.

Meanwhile, Caleb Williams is preparing for a homecoming of sorts, as the upcoming game will be his first professional appearance in the area where he grew up. Residing previously in the District of Columbia and suburban Maryland, Williams spoke about needing all his allotted tickets for friends and family. He expressed his excitement: "Being able to go back and share that experience, it's going to be great. It's going to be fun. To come out with the win is going to be the most important."