When the Commanders roll into Minneapolis for their Week 14 matchup against the Vikings, they’ll be getting back starting quarterback Jayden Daniels under center. While his return to the Commanders’ lineup will give the offense a big boost, should he be put right back into fantasy football lineups for important Week 14 contests?
Let’s take a look at the latest on Daniels’ injury recovery and what to expect from him this week in Minnesota and going forward the rest of the season.
Jayden Daniels injury update
Daniels has missed time with a few injuries this season, but the last four weeks he has been out with a dislocated left elbow which occurred late in a Week 9 loss to the Seahawks. Marcus Mariota started the last three games for Washington, losses to the Lions, Dolphins, and Broncos.
Daniels was able to practice this week, and on Friday coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Daniels will get the start on Sunday:
Pillaging the Vikings?
The Vikings have been struggling lately, losing four straight games and getting crushed 26-0 last week in Seattle. They are expected to get J.J. McCarthy (concussion) back under center for this matchup which will certainly help after a disastrous start for Max Brosmer. The Vikings defense has been good against quarterbacks overall this season and have allowed under 200 passing yards in each of their last four games with only one passing touchdown against them, despite taking all the losses.
It’s a tough spot for Daniels to come back to in Minnesota, especially since the Vikings have an effective pass rush. However, in his favor is the fact that his offense will be healthy for the first time in a long time with both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. ready to go on the outside with Zach Ertz at tight end, and a healthy offensive line.
Daniels is a dynamic dual-threat producer who always brings a very high ceiling since he produces fantasy points in so many ways. He has at least 16 fantasy points in every start this season with eight passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. He averaged 197.3 passing yards and 43.7 rushing yards per game. Since his injury was to his non-throwing elbow, his mobility shouldn’t be great impacted.
He always brings a high enough ceiling to be worth a look even in a tough matchup like this. Coming into the week, I had Daniels as the No. 10 QB in my rankings, making him a borderline starter. If you can afford to wait a week, better matchups are ahead, but if you need to bo back to him, just be aware that he’s in a tough matchup and temper expectations.
Rest of the season fantasy football outlook for Jayden Daniels
Daniels has three divisional games to finish most fantasy seasons after this week, and they could set him up to be a league-winning QB if he can stay healthy. In Week 15, he plays the Giants, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to QBs this season. In Week 16, he and the Commanders host the Eagles, and in Week 17, he faces the Cowboys, who have been the best matchup all season for QBs.
If Daniels can show he’s healthy and productive rushing and passing, he can be a regular starter to carry you through the next few weeks. This week’s matchup is the tough one for him.
The bottom line
Daniels is a fringe QB1 for season-long leagues this week and it depends on who the alternative is whether you should start or sit him. He has been consistent enough to go back to this week, even though the Vikings have been so good against QBs lately.
For one-week contests like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], Daniels is high-risk but comes with a high ceiling. The matchup and his recent injury will likely keep his ownership low, making him a boom-or-bust contrarian play to consider for GPP builds if you believe he’ll reach his high ceiling.
