Washington Commanders' upcoming mini-bye a much-needed opportunity to regroup

The Washington Commanders' 26-18 loss on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles marked their second loss in five days, dropping them to 7-4 on the 2024 season.

Now, the Commanders will have a "mini-bye," as they won't be back in action again until Nov. 24 when they take on the Dallas Cowboys back at home.

That gives Washington an opportunity to regroup, and it's one they desperately need. Not only have the Commanders lost two straight, but injuries have piled up as well.

Newly acquired CB Marshon Lattimore has yet to suit up for the team in two opportunities. Starting kicker Austin Seibert has missed the past two contests as well, and perhaps his absence played a role in Dan Quinn deciding to go for it on fourth down late in Thursday's game instead of kicking a potential go-ahead field goal.

Most crucially of all, though, is the health of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels hasn't missed a game, but ever since hurting his ribs against the Carolina Panthers, he has not looked quite right -- particularly as a runner. After rushing for an average of 53.1 yards in the season's first seven games, he's averaged only 27.5 yards in the past four.

Daniels' accuracy has also been off. In four games since his injury, he hasn't had a performance in which he's completed more than 70 percent of his pass attempts. He had five such performances in the first seven games, though granted one of them was the Panthers game in which he went a grand total of 2-for-2 before leaving the field.

Daniels will need to use the extended time off to refresh himself both physically and mentally. There are always growing pains for any young player, and for Daniels and the Commanders, perhaps this miniature skid can prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Early on in the season, it seemed like Washington could do no wrong. That was never going to last all year, and now the team must adjust to adversity. Ideally for the Commanders, when they suit up against Dallas, they'll be doing so as a healthier team with a mindset of having more to prove.