Jayden Daniels played just 3 snaps in Commanders’ preseason loss. They revealed a concern

Jayden Daniels took his first game reps in 256 days, and Terry McLaurin lined up opposite Stefon Diggs for the first time. But the focus of the Washington Commanders’ second preseason game — a 17-13 loss to the Detroit Lions on Saturday — was their supporting cast, a group that could determine the outcome of this season.

That group includes an offensive line missing two key starters because of injuries. It includes a receiving corps with a handful of players fighting for what could be one of the last spots on Washington’s initial 53-man roster. It includes defensive reserves whose biggest impact may ultimately be felt on special teams. And it could even include the third-string quarterback.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s loss in Detroit and what was said afterward:

The offensive line is an issue

Washington needs more help on the O-line. Maybe you’ve heard that before. Sure, Daniels and the (healthy) starters played all of three snaps and spent only a minute and a half on the field together. Coach Dan Quinn said it was always the plan to give Daniels one drive, no matter how long it lasted. But that series — a three-and-out — exposed plenty of what the Commanders are missing.

Daniels was quickly pressured into an incompletion on his first snap when linebacker Devin White pushed back center Julian Good-Jones. Then Daniels was sacked for a loss of 10 yards after edge rusher D.J. Wonnum beat tight end John Bates on the inside.

Daniels handed it off to rookie back Kaytron Allen for an 11-yard gain on third-and-20.

Good-Jones has been the primary fill-in at center for Nick Allegretti, who has dealt with a calf injury for most of training camp, and his lack of experience has shown, leaving Daniels under duress as the interior of the line gets pushed back. It has also raised the question of whether Washington has enough reinforcements inside. Rookie Matt Gulbin impressed in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, but did not play at all with Daniels on Saturday.

When asked about the offensive line after the loss, Quinn praised the play of right guard Sam Cosmi — “Maybe playing the best that I’ve seen him play,” Quinn said — and the coach has also been pleased with the play at left tackle in the wake of Laremy Tunsil’s serious triceps injury. But “we got work to do to figure out where we want to get to at center,” Quinn noted.

The defense makes a mark

The Commanders’ defense starred in this game, immediately making up for its disappointing opening possession in the first preseason game, when it gave up 93 yards and a touchdown to the Dolphins.

On the Lions’ second snap, cornerback Amik Robertson blitzed from the left side and strip-sacked quarterback Joshua Dobbs, and rookie outside linebacker Joshua Josephs chased down the ball and recovered it in the end zone for a Commanders touchdown.

Safety Quan Martin intercepted Dobbs six plays later, giving Washington five takeaways in its first five preseason quarters. Producing turnovers was one of Quinn’s biggest priorities as he remade the defense this year and tabbed Daronte Jones as coordinator. Martin’s nose for the ball, combined with his special teams play, is a big reason he’s likely got a roster spot waiting for him.

Quinn said he’d still like to see the group force more fumbles and take more shots on the ball. The pressure, however, was consistent.

Washington’s defensive front swarmed Detroit’s quarterbacks, adding another three sacks — one apiece by Javontae Jean-Baptiste, T.J. Maguranyanga and Maurice Hurst — in the first quarter and a half.

Offensive highlights

McLaurin and Diggs never saw the ball in their limited time on the field, but the handful of receivers hoping to snare one of those last roster spots showed quite a bit. Undrafted rookie Jaden Bradley had the play of the day when he pulled in a 30-yard catch with one hand while being held by a defender.

Rookie Antonio Williams caught a 21-yard bullet up the middle on third-and-10 to help set up a field goal on that same third-quarter drive. Then, Nick Nash had a 55-yard over-the-shoulder catch along the right sideline to set up Drew Stevens’ second field goal of the day.

The passer on all three of those deep balls was Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington’s seventh-round rookie who may have done enough to prompt the team to roster three quarterbacks, especially as Marcus Mariota recovers from an MCL sprain.

Quinn has said he’s “optimistic” that Mariota will be healthy for Week 1, but Washington has dealt with its share of injuries at the position in recent years, and Mariota is entering his 12th season — on a one-year deal, no less.

Kaliakmanis’ accuracy and poise in the pocket impressed, as he completed 11 of 14 attempts (78.6 percent) for 162 yards and a 114.9 passer rating.

Daniels says he’s moving on

After the game, Daniels made his first public comments (outside of a statement shared on social media) about the cease-and-desist letter his attorney sent LSU informing the school it must end any continued use of Daniels’ name, image and likeness.

“The statement is out,” Daniels said. “But for me now, it’s really just focusing on Commander football. I said everything I had to say within the statement, and now it’s really just getting ready for Week 1.”

The letter, issued Aug. 5 and addressed to LSU vice president and athletic director Verge Ausberry, alleged that the school has used Daniels’ NIL past its authorization date.

“I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there,” Daniels posted on Instagram on Aug. 13. “Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately. My sole personal focus is on Commanders’ football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved.”

Other roster notes

Fifteen players, most of whom are dealing with injuries, were not active for the Commanders on Saturday.

On offense, in addition to Mariota, Tunsil and Allegretti, the absences included running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White (hamstring) and Jeremy McNichols (quad).

The defensive absences included defensive linemen Deatrich Wise, Dorance Armstrong, Daron Payne, Johnny Newton and Tim Settle; outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson; inside linebacker Jordan Magee and cornerback Trey Amos.

Diggs, meanwhile, wore No. 3 instead of No. 18, which he had worn in training camp. No. 3 may not be his final number, however. It’s currently a duplicate with safety Will Harris.