Commanders try to move forward in first practice after Daniels’ Hail Mary

ASHBURN — 

Washington Commanders fans weren’t the only ones who got excited watching rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels toss a game-winning Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. 

Offensive tackle Brandon Coleman, who missed the game with a concussion, is expecting a noise complaint in his mailbox soon for “screaming his head off” at home when wide receiver Noah Brown caught the final pass.

“I let some words and stuff that I probably shouldn’t have,” the rookie said Wednesday.

Now three days removed from the last-second win, the Commanders tried to regain a sense of normalcy at practice on Wednesday. To prepare for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s squad fell back on their routine. 

Monday was “Tell the Truth” day at the practice facility. Wednesday was “Competition Wednesday,” with a focus on tackling and fighting through contact. That precise schedule, according to Quinn, is vital to keep his 6-2 team from “riding the roller coaster,” especially after last week’s wild ending.

“Because of the precise nature that we do to get ready, it does allow you to get right back to it,” Quinn said. “We work really hard at that to make sure the process of the week can take care of all the learning.”

The hot start and last week’s dramatic win have brought an intense spotlight for the Commanders. Daniels’ last-second heave was the first highlight on every sports show and NFL recap on Sunday night and Monday morning. 

But by the time the players filed into the locker room on Monday and took the practice field on Wednesday, the electricity in the air had faded. That was by design. Quinn talked to his players about the ending of Sunday’s game and why it’s so important to leave it in the past. 

“You do have to reset. I’d rather talk about it than assume it would happen,” Quinn said. “So, let’s acknowledge it and then put the work back in before we get to go time.”

The message stuck with the players, who told reporters they took it upon themselves to set a standard in the locker room. A message from the coach is helpful but not essential when the players on the field maintain their own accountability. 

“We did a great job of celebrating and having fun and building energy in the locker room after the game,” rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey said. “Today was just a good day to start on the focus and the preparation for this week, recalibrating and getting locked in.”

In addition to the increased media attention, the Commanders are working through an injury bug that could impact Sunday’s game. 

Daniels (rib) and Coleman practiced “some” on Wednesday as they continued to recover from injuries that sidelined them during last week’s workouts, according to Quinn. 

Daniels is taking his pain tolerance and recovery on a daily basis, which the Commanders will monitor for the rest of the season.

“I’m still intact,” Daniels said. “I feel good.”

He is expected to play against the Giants, but his ribs are still sore and there’s no real timeline for when they might be fully healed.

“I wish I knew,” Daniels said. “It’s just how I feel daily, how I wake up and how I’m able to move around. And the organization here has a great plan, so I’m trusting that and following it.”

An ankle issue kept starting tackle Cornelius Lucas off the practice field.  If Lucas and Coleman are unable to play on Sunday, third-string tackle Trent Scott could earn his first start of the season. Scott was called into action against the Bears after Lucas left the game in the third quarter.

The 30-year-old backup, along with the rest of Washington’s offensive line, have a tough task waiting for them at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The division-rival Giants lead the NFL in sacks through eight weeks, with defensive tackle Dexter Lawerence posting a league-best nine sacks. Edge rusher Brian Burns, New York’s big offseason acquisition from the Carolina Panthers, has added five sacks of his own. 

The Week 2 matchup between the Giants and the Commanders was a slugfest at Northwest Stadium. Washington won, 21-18, but its typically efficient offense failed to record a touchdown. New York’s pass rushers hounded Daniels throughout the game, recording five sacks. 

Though the Giants are only 2-6, the Commanders say they aren’t underestimating their NFC East rival. And how could they, after the Week 2 tilt came down to a last-second field goal? 

“It’s a little bit more personal than most. These are the games that count in the end,” Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. said. “We got to win them.”

Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

This article is based in part on wire service reports.