Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media after practice on Oct. 25. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
Opening Statement:
"We'll get started. I'll fill in on who the captains are for this week first. So, offensively it'll be [G] Nick Allegretti. And so much of Nick's leadership shows up with the offensive line, the toughness, the line of scrimmage, and he is an absolute warrior. On defensively, it'd be [S] Jeremy Chinn. And I just see this growing taking place with Jeremy. He's selfless, the confidence, the communication on the sideline, and then on special teams it's [S] Jeremy Reaves. And this dude is revered here, both on the grass and off and on it. He's an absolute slayer, so we love the energy that he brings and all this stuff. So, that is good. That's it, everybody good? [laugh]. No, I'll get started. I'll fill you in, [QB] Jayden [Daniels] was able to practice today. We followed the plan really, that we set at the start of the week. And for you guys, think of crawl, walk, run, like we do with a lot of guys on the return back from injury. So, Wednesday into that first piece, Thursday on the walk piece to go, and then Friday to get the run. And we will assess how he responds to the work that we did over the next 48 hours. But we really pushed it today. And playing quarterback, the movements, the skills, and also specific to the game plan. Going through the whole thing, all parts of the field. So, we're really following that process, and we'll let our eyes decide and how he responds over the next 48 hours. And that'll guide us, and we'll make the best decision for him and for the team. And if he can't go, certainly have all the confidence in [QB] Marcus [Mariota.] This quarterback room is really a fun one to be around, to see the support they have for one another and helping one another, their readiness. So, it's a remarkable group, with Jayden and Marcus and [QB] Jeff [Driskel] and [QB] Sam [Hartman]. And they got there, like four brothers together and their crazy cousin [Assistant Quarterbacks Coach David] Blough who's hanging around there all the time, one year removed from playing. But it's just this really cool support system that they see for one another and constantly, early in the morning I'll get out in the quarterback room and together post practice. So, it was a good week and we stayed true to the process for Jayden of what we were going to do from Wednesday to Thursday. And then we really wanted to push him today to see where he would be. And then let's see how he responds to that kind of push to go. But it was a good day, so now I'm ready to get rocking with you guys."
On when Daniels came out for practice:
"Yeah, we did some extra like strength and conditioning core work into that time. So, we just wanted to make sure everything timed up so he could hit all the team portions together with everybody. So yeah, it was just by design to get some more core and strength work prior to the big throwing sessions."
On if he worked in the bubble before coming out to practice:
"Yeah, all the guys go through a similar process to go, but we wanted to work through some skills specific to the game plan. And so that's why we did that one. But yeah, all four of the guys kind of worked through the same stuff."
On how Daniels will be listed on the injury report:
"I don't know. I'll hit with [General Manager] Adam [Peters] up after that, but I would think it would be limited. That's what I would think."
On an update for T Brandon Coleman:
"Yeah, we'll huddle up and so he did not participate today, yeah."
On any limitations for Daniels in team practice:
"No, just the opposite. In fact, we really wanted to push it today. And so that's why I think it's important because you have to push it in all the, not just the quarterback specific things, but also within the game plan. So, we really pushed it today. And so that's what really the next day and a half will be about. See how he responds because you have to, you have to do that. And that was kind of part of the plan to get in through Wednesday, Thursday, as many of the walkthrough reps as you can, which is [a] considerable amount. But you have to push it to see where you're at, so that's what today was about."
On if Daniels was able to throw during walkthroughs:
"Some, yep. But it's different than throwing like full on. And so that's what today was about, the ones that, different areas, different ones, movements and all that. So, think of pro days to real football [laugh]."
On a competitive advantage to not having video of a quarterback working through an injury at practice:
"No, it was just, we just had extra strength core work that we wanted to do prior to going through that."
On plans to elevate QB Sam Hartman:
"[General Manager] Adam [Peters] and I'll huddle up about the roster and where we're at tonight and then into tomorrow. But we'll really assess, we just took the next step and so the next one will be tomorrow and go from there."
On how he tests Daniels during practice:
"All of that. Both [during the practice and with drills]. Both. And so, drill work, you can test more, but you need to practice ones to, a certain look, a blitz turnout to go, scramble drills. All of that happens without it being planned. And so those are part of the, I guess it's all tests to go through all the different looks and that's what we really, I like the process that we're going through to assess him and go through it now. We'll keeps knocking down the steps, and now we'll go through them again tomorrow."
On an update for DE Clelin Ferrell:
"Yeah, he had a good session. So, we were pleased to see where he was at. And he came into the week better than the week prior to, so that helps too when you're entering the week stronger into the space. So, we're pleased to see that."
On what he needs to see from Daniels for him to play:
"I think the response to say that you're feeling good, that you're not in pain to do that. So, it's how does your body respond from really getting pushed to go? And so, I would say that's what we need to see. The testing is ongoing to get to that spot, but it was a good day."
On what he has learned about Daniels through his first injury experience:
"No, I would say I admire so much about his California cool side to him. I wish I had some more of that in mind. Sometimes I'm calm like this, but under the water I'm like a duck going. And so, he really stayed true to his process of getting ready. And so, it's been a process. From a communication standpoint, has been good. Wanna make sure I'm always not just with him, but the other quarterbacks, the rest of the team. So, we've thrown a good week."
