ASHBURN, Va. — Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to play for the Washington Commanders in their first preseason game Saturday at the New York Jets.
Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Sunday that Daniels will be playing. He did not say if Daniels would start or how much the No. 2 pick would play.
"I know I'm playing. I don't know if I'm starting or not, but my family is going to be there regardless," Daniels said. "In the NFL, my first snap, so my family is going to be there, and they're going to be at everything."
Before kickoff against the New York Jets on Saturday, the Commanders will be in New Jersey Thursday for a joint practice. Quinn said he likes the practice more than the game.
"You get some evaluations against different people in different situations. This rusher, this defense, this front, this look. Those are the things that you like when you're seeing a matchup. It's not necessarily scheme related," Quinn said.
The head coach said he's looking forward to seeing Brandon Coleman on the field.
"What a good test for him," Quinn said.
Coleman said it will be different to play against another team, rather than teammates in practice.
"That mentality against someone else is a little different, even in practice," Coleman said. "Just trying to be nasty out there. It's basically like a little preview to the game, so I'm excited. It'll be good intensity in a hostile environment. That's stuff you gotta be excited for."
While the rookie is looking forward to the change of scenery, fifth-year veteran Keandre Jones has a different perspective.
"I think it's the same anticipation of competing," Jones said. "The anticipation that you gotta beat the man in front of you, whether its burgundy and gold or green and white. You know you gotta compete."
One other note: at Hall of Fame weekend, new inductee Devin Hester had a special shoutout for Washington legend Brian Mitchell.
"I hope me being here today opens up the doors and brings some attention to other guys like Brian Mitchell and Josh Cribbs," Hester said. "I'm not the only returner who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, I'm just the first."
We caught up with Mitchell to see how he felt about the hat tip.
"I didn't know what was going on. I was driving back from Dewey Beach and my phone started going off. Then I saw the little clip and was like, 'Real cool.' We've talked before, we've had some dealings with each other, and to see that — we always say game recognize game, so I see that as respect and I feel really good about it," Mitchell said.