Tom Schad

Commanders mailbag: How do they fix this mess ahead of next season? We took a shot at answering your questions about how the franchise can get back on track following a dismal and injury-plagued year.

Where do the #Commanders go from here? Is Jayden Daniels still elite? Which FAs should be re-signed? Diving into those questions and many more with @tashanreed.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Kliff Kingsbury, asked about calling pass plays in that goal-line sequence vs. Minnesota:

"There's 30 plays in that game I wish I'd called something differently. ... There weren't a lot of great play calls in that game. And like I said, that's on me and I've got to get better."

In his latest newsletter, @scottsallen.bsky.social went through reader suggestions for the best shorthanded moniker for #Commanders.

Lots of people mentioned "Hogs," "Skins" and "Commies." But "COs" and "Mandos" are probably my favorites. What do y'all think? s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...

Bobby Wagner (knee), Chris Rodriguez (groin) and Jonathan Jones (rib) all did not practice today for the #Commanders. Jayden Daniels was limited, as Dan Quinn said he'd be.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder) the most notable DNP for the Giants. He's missed the past three games.

I think you're on to something. Things have really gone downhill for this team since @sam4tr.bsky.social left the beat

The #Commanders are not talking about shutting down Jayden Daniels for the rest of the year, Dan Quinn said. No change from last month on that front.

Jayden Daniels is OUT for Sunday against the Giants, #Commanders coach Dan Quinn says. No structural damage to the left elbow, per Quinn, but he did re-aggravate it.

It'll be Marcus Mariota again on Sunday.

#Commanders TE Zach Ertz is the eighth Week 1 starter to land on IR in 2025, as shown in red below.

He'll also be the 24th guy on the Week 1 depth chart to miss a game due to injury/illness/suspension (as shown in yellow).

The #Commanders haven't forced a takeaway in 8 of their 13 games this season -- including against the Vikings, who lead the NFL in giving the ball away.

Dan Quinn declined to chalk it up to luck. Said D needs to force turnovers. Not happy with that aspect of team's play "at all"

Jayden Daniels's elbow is "sore," Dan Quinn said, but there's no long-term concerns with the elbow. TBD on whether Daniels will play Sunday.

#Commanders TE Zach Ertz is out for the remainder of the year, Dan Quinn confirmed. Torn ACL. Brutal.

Commanders mailbag: What’s left to be said about this team? As the Commanders continue their fall, send your questions to beat reporters Tom Schad and Tashan Reed, who will answer them in a mailbag this week.

. @tomschad.bsky.social and I will put together a #Commanders mailbag later this week. Leave your questions here 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Commanders are asking Jayden Daniels to do too much In failing to build the right roster around the second-year quarterback, Washington placed a burden on him to try to play heroically.

The #Commanders are asking QB Jayden Daniels to do too much.

Yes, he needs to improve at protecting himself, but it'd easier to be more risk averse if that weren't the case.

Lessening the burden Daniels carries needs to be Washington's top priority 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

In today's paper...

The game story from Washington's first shutout loss since 2019: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

@barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social on Jayden Daniels: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

It can and does get worse: Jayden Daniels exits early as Commanders are shut out Washington is officially eliminated from playoff contention after perhaps its worst performance of the season in a 31-0 loss to the Vikings.

In a season of lows, the #Commanders plunged further downward in a 31-0 loss to Minnesota: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Words that will be in the game story from Washington's 31-0 loss to Minnesota: Dreadful, listless, ugly, agonizing, blowout, horrific, spiraled, ineffective, poor, misery, worst, worsened, putrid, tough, tormented, doomed and unfortunate.

#Commanders WR Terry McLaurin: “When you get beat 31-0, that’s not even a tough day at the office. That’s just bad.”

"It’s hard to process right now, but it’s just unfortunate," #Commanders LB Bobby Wagner said. "It’s unfortunate where we’re at. We have a lot of good guys in this room, and it just hasn’t worked out thus far."

Final: Vikings 31, #Commanders 0

Listless, lifeless, dreadful, embarrassing. Whatever word you want to use, it's fair to describe that showing by the Commanders, who are now officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Marcus Mariota fumbles in the red zone for Washington's third turnover of the game.

The #Commanders are 7:53 away from the merciful end to this game, which will officially and formally knock them out of the playoffs.

Zach Ertz has, unsurprisingly, been ruled out with a knee injury. He left the field in the back of a cart.

Ruthless stuff from Kevin O'Connell. Vikings go for it on 4th and 2. TJ Hockenson bounces off a few would-be tacklers to score. Jonathan Jones now being helped off by trainers. #Commanders down 31-0.

More bad news for the #Commanders: Zach Ertz is limping off the field, accompanied by trainers. Doesn't appear to be putting any weight on that right leg. Brutal.

Another Vikings touchdown pass. J.J. McCarthy is carving up this #Commanders defense: 11 of 15 for 125 yards and 2 TDs, with a passer rating of 137.5.

Vikings 24, Commanders 0 with 2:53 left in 3Q

FWIW: FOX reported that the #Commanders cut off Daniels's brace. I don't see any movement on the sidelines to reaffix that brace. Looking unlikely that JD5 will return today.

Marcus Mariota is picked off by Harrison Smith on 2nd and 9. And that might prove to put a bow on this one.

Possibly the worst all-around performance from the #Commanders so far this season, given the relatively-healthy offense and how bad Minnesota has been.

Jayden Daniels is questionable to return, the #Commanders say. Marcus Mariota out there for this drive.

Most concerning part, if you're a Washington fan, is the official area of injury for Daniels: "Left elbow."

Marcus Mariota is throwing on the sideline, and appears to be coming in -- at least for the start of this next drive. Jayden Daniels in the blue medical tent.

Meanwhile, on the field, Vikings add 3 more to go up 17-0 with 7:01 left in the third quarter.

Jayden Daniels slammed his helmet on the turf in frustration and is now sitting on the bench with a towel draped over his head. Brace/sleeve not on his left arm.

"He's taken too many hits today," Drew Brees said on the broadcast.

Perfect storm of terribleness for the #Commanders on 4th down: A batted ball, intercepted by the Vikings. And Jayden Daniels is shoved to the ground, falling on his left arm, while pursuing. Trainers looking at him on the sideline.