Daniels left the first quarter of Washington’s game against Carolina with what the Commanders called a rib injury and was later ruled out. He was visibly frustrated, taking off his helmet and throwing it to the turf. Backup Marcus Mariota took over in his place.

Daniels, off to one of the best statistical starts to a career by a quarterback in NFL history, had enjoyed another sensational start before the injury, rushing for 46 yards on the Commanders’ first play from scrimmage. He also completed both of his passes for 6 yards before he left.

Daniels, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU and the No. 2 pick in last year's NFL draft, has thrown for 1,404 yards and six touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Even if Daniels was healthy enough to return to the game against Carolina, the Commanders didn’t need him as they beat the Panthers 40-7. The aforementioned Mariota took over for Daniels and threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns. With the win, the Commanders are 5-2 and are in first place in the NFC East.

Daniels has been a big reason the Commanders have a chance to win their first division title since 2020. The former LSU Tigers quarterback has completed 75.3 percent of his passes for 1,404 yards six touchdowns and two interceptions in his first six games this year 

Daniels has also been strong in the running game, tallying 322 rushing yards and four touchdowns (not including totals from the Panthers game). On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.