Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' status for the Bears game is unclear because of a rib injury

Jayden Daniels’ status is up in the air for the Washington Commanders’ game against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears on Sunday because of a rib injury, and he is being listed as week to week.

Daniels is not being ruled out for what is supposed to be a matchup of the top two picks in this year’s NFL draft, but coach Dan Quinn offered little clarity about the situation on Monday other than the notion that it's not a serious injury that would sideline the rookie quarterback for an extended period.

“We’re hopeful he can play, but we’ll also make sure to take every precautionary step and do it smartly for the player and the man,” Quinn said on a video call with reporters. “It’s not going to be something that’s going to knock him out for the long term.”

Daniels was injured when he went head over feet and landed awkwardly while being tackled at the end of a 46-yard run on Washington's first offensive snap Sunday. He finished the rest of the drive before going to the sideline for evaluation, and veteran Marcus Mariota filled in for the rest of a 40-7 rout of Carolina that got the Commanders to 5-2 this season.

Quinn did not provide any specifics about the rib injury, including whether anything was broken.

“Most times when there’s a core injury, it’s more just the movements and all that goes into throwing and playing the position,” Quinn said.

Mariota would start if Daniels is unable to go. Beyond doctors and trainers clearing the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, the coaching staff also will be watching closely this week at practice.

“He’s such a unique player that I want to make sure he can be him fully in his own way and the movements and throwing all the stuff that would go with that,” Quinn said. “It’s really important to get it right, and we will."

Daniels has thrown for 1,410 yards, ran for 372 and been responsible for 10 touchdowns to become the favorite to win offensive rookie of the year honors.

Quinn said Daniels was “doing great” but hinted the 23-year-old already was laying the groundwork to play Sunday.

“He is at his core a true competitor, and we wouldn’t expect anything different than that,” Quinn said. “But we’ll really trust our eyes, the medical staff and we’re going to make sure we assess this every day and make sure when he’s able to be him fully in that space, then we’ll let it rip.”

The team was extra cautious with a recent knee injury to top running back Brian Robinson Jr., holding him out against Baltimore on Oct. 13 — a 30-23 loss to the Ravens that is Washington's only defeat since the season opener. Robinson returned against the Panthers and rushed for 71 yards and a TD on 12 carries after thanking Quinn and general manager Adam Peters for the time off that allowed him to heal.

A similar play-it-safe approach could be in the works with Daniels, given his value to the organization this season and beyond.

“It’s always about them for the long term — for their health, for their career,” Quinn said. “It’s about the player and making sure they can do their thing at full speed. And if they can’t, like in the case with Brian a few weeks ago, we just said, ‘You know what, it’s not there,’ and we’re not going to put you out there and not allow you to do your thing full speed.”

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels walks off the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs from Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21) and linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. (45) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels walks off the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Incoom (48) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran charged with manslaughter for placing a man in a deadly chokehold on a New York City subway train last year.

Daniel Penny, 25, is accused of “recklessly causing the death” of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old former street performer. Witnesses say Neely was acting erratically on the train on May 1, 2023, when Penny moved to restrain him.

Penny has pleaded not guilty in the case, which sparked debate and division locally and across the country.

After the death of Neely, who was Black, protesters demanded that authorities arrest Penny, who is white. Others rallied in support of Penny outside the courthouse once he was charged. The case also became a cause célèbre among Republican presidential hopefuls.

Penny, who served four years in the Marines before being discharged in 2021, has been free on a $100,000 bond. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of second-degree manslaughter and up to four years if convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

The initial 136 potential jurors were brought into the Manhattan courtroom Monday for a first round of screening focused on whether they have work or family obligations that could keep them from serving on a trial that's expected to continue into December.

When the first group of people were asked whether any had heard of the case, nearly everyone in the packed courtroom raised a hand to indicate yes.

“Not a surprise,” Judge Maxwell Wiley said.

“Even if you have formed an opinion about it, that does not disqualify you from serving on this case,” he said, adding that anyone who is picked for the jury must keep an open mind.

Penny, at times when prompted by the judge, briefly stood and waved to prospective jurors and greeted them with a soft “good morning” and “good afternoon.”

Otherwise, he sat mostly facing the judge in his blue suit and maroon tie as potential jurors were called up individually to the bench to explain their potential scheduling issues.

Those asking not to be placed on the jury cited holiday travel plans, faraway weddings, house moves and other personal obligations.

By the end of the day, 45 people were asked to return for the next stage in the screening on Friday; the rest were excused.

The selection process is expected to continue Tuesday, and it will likely be days before prospective jurors are questioned about any beliefs, personal connections or life experiences that could affect their ability to serve fairly and impartially.

Witnesses to the incident said Neely — who struggled with drug addiction, mental illness and homelessness — had been shouting and demanding money when Penny approached him.

Penny pinned Neely to the ground with the help of two other passengers, and placed him in a chokehold for more than three minutes until Neely’s body went limp. The medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide caused by compression of the neck.

Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, was in courtroom audience Monday. Neely's family's lawyer, Donte Mills, said outside court that Zachery is feeling hurt and seeking justice for his son.

“Daniel Penny should go to jail,” Mills said. “This should be an easy case for the jury to deliberate.”

Penny’s lawyers have argued that the Long Island native didn’t intend to kill Neely, just to hold him down long enough for police to arrive. Penny has claimed Neely shouted, “I’m gonna kill you” and that he was “ready to die” or go to jail for life.

“The truth is going to come out in this trial,“ Steven Raiser, one of Penny’s lawyers, said outside court. “There have been a lot of assumptions that have been out there.”

Raiser has said the defense plans to offer up other potential causes of Neely’s death, including high levels of the synthetic cannabinoid known as K2 found in his body.

They’ll also argue that video shared widely on social media proves Penny was not applying pressure consistently enough to render Neely unconscious, much less kill him.

Penny's lawyers said Monday that they hadn't decided whether he will testify.

Prosecutors, in their court filings, have argued that Penny’s actions were reckless and negligent even if he didn’t intend to kill Neely. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office declined to comment ahead of the trial.

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.

Daniel Penny leaves the courtroom during a break in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. Jury selection is set to begin in the criminal trial of the U.S. Marine Corps veteran who placed a man in a deadly chokehold aboard a New York City subway train last year. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A woman yells and holds up a picture of Jordan Neely just before Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. Jury selection is set to begin in the criminal trial of the U.S. Marine Corps veteran who placed a man in a deadly chokehold aboard a New York City subway train last year. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A woman yells and holds up a picture of Jordan Neely just before Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Daniel Penny arrives to Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)