The Washington Commanders will get their first look at rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in game action when they open the preseason at the New York Jets on Saturday.
Kickoff is noon and WTKR will televise the game in Hampton Roads.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said earlier this week that Daniels would play in the game, but didn’t specify how much.
The Commanders and Jets held some joint practices this week, and one opposing player whom Daniels impressed was Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner. According to ESPN, Gardner said he spoke with Daniels and told him, “Man, you’re going to be real good.”
Daniels was listed as the Commanders’ starting quarterback on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, which was released Tuesday.
Free-agent signee Marcus Mariota, listed at No. 2 on the depth chart, also figures to play Saturday.
Former Hokie released: The San Francisco 49ers released tight end Logan Thomas, a former Virginia Tech star, on Friday following a hamstring injury he suffered early in camp.
Thomas, 33, signed only two months ago as a potential No. 2 tight end behind starter George Kittle.
Another ex-Hokie hurt: Tennessee coach Brian Callahan said Thursday that Titans cornerback Caleb Farley will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury.
The No. 22 pick out of Virginia Tech in 2021 left practices during the weekend early after feeling tightness in his hamstring. Farley left Wednesday’s practice after one-on-one drills and wasn’t on the practice field Thursday.
It’s the latest setback for the cornerback who has played in just 12 games with two starts in three seasons with the Titans.
Dak sits out: Dak Prescott was held out of a light workout Friday as a precaution with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback experiencing mild soreness in his surgically repaired right ankle.
The decision came a day after Dallas held its only joint workout of training camp in a visit from the Los Angeles Rams. The Cowboys and Rams open the preseason against each other Saturday night in LA.
Prescott, who likely won’t play in the preseason, is going into the final season of his $160 million, four-year contract, but hasn’t missed any time in camp.
JuJu to be cut: Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who helped the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl two years ago, will be released by the New England Patriots, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.
The Patriots signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25 million contract last year, but he only caught 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.
Late Thursday
Giants 14, Lions 3: With the starters on both teams getting a chance to rest in the preseason opener, second-year pros Tommy DeVito and Eric Gray used the opportunity to make a case for themselves in the eyes of coach Brian Daboll as New York posted a home victory.
DeVito replaced an injured Drew Lock late in the first quarter and led New York on two first-half scoring drives that Gray capped with runs of 48 and 1 yard in a game that clearly should help them move up on the depth chart.
Giants backup quarterback Drew Lock left late in the first quarter because of a hip injury, while Detroit backup QB Hendon Hooker — a former Virginia Tech star — sustained a concussion in the second half.
Hooker and Nate Sudfeld are vying for the backup spot behind Jared Goff.
Patriots 17, Panthers 3: Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, played one series in his debut with New England, and the Patriots played their first game in 24 years without Bill Belichick as coach, beating Carolina at home.
New England’s new coach, 38-year-old Hampton native Jerod Mayo became the NFL’s youngest coach when he was hired on Jan. 12.
Maye trotted onto the field with light rain falling for the Patriots’ second series and got a nice ovation from the sparse crowd. He completed his first attempt, a screen to Antonio Gibson for a 13-yard pickup. He was high on his first throw down the field, ending his night 2 for 3 for 19 yards.
Jack Plummer completed 11 of 21 passes for 86 yards for the Panthers.
