Daniel didn't play in Friday's preseason game against the Titans.

Daniel's absence Friday doesn't mean much, as he's expected to receive the start for the final preseason game next week. He remains the overwhelming favorite to back up starter Alex Smith this season, and has shown the ability to move the ball when given the opportunity.

Daniel completed 17-of-21 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals.

Daniels performance was certainly impressive, displaying why he's the undisputed backup behind starter Alex Smith. While he won't challenge Smith for the starting spot, the sixth-year quarterback has proven to be a capable backup.

Daniel completed 16-of-27 passes for 157 yards during Sunday's win over the Chargers.

Daniel, starting in place of Alex Smith, who suffered a ruptured spleen earlier this week, connected with five different receivers and appeared to throw the first touchdown pass to a wide receiver this season, only for Dwayne Bowe to fumble at the one-yard line, with tight end Travis Kelce recovering in the end zone for their lone TD of the day. Smith is fully expected to return to health well before next season, which means Daniel will return to his backup role with little chance of supplanting Smith without an injury.

Daniel will start in place of Alex Smith (lacerated spleen) on Sunday against the Chargers, ESPN.com reports.

With Smith looking at a six-week recovery, Daniel would also be in line to start for the Chiefs in the playoffs, should the team qualify for the postseason. Daniels also started for the Chiefs in Week 17 against the Chargers last season, when the team rested several key players, recording 200 passing yards and a touchdown, while completing 21-of-30 pass attempts in the process. This time around, Daniel remains a fantasy dart, while helming a Kansas City offense in which a wide receiver has yet to score a TD this season.

Daniel will start Thursday's preseason game against the Packers, the Chiefs' official site reports.

Coach Andy Reid said he doesn't typically play starters in the fourth preseason, and Daniel will get the start in the place of Alex Smith as a result. He will play the first quarter of the game while the remaining three quarters will be split between Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray.

Daniel completed 8-of-10 passes for 126 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Thursday's preseason opener against the Bengals.

After throwing a pick-six earlier in the game, Daniel bounced back by connecting with TE Travis Kelce on a 69-yard touchdown play. At this stage, Daniel remains on track to serve as the Chiefs' No. 2 QB behind starter Alex Smith, with the team's initial preseason depth chart (which lists Tyler Bray third, followed by Aaron Murray) reflecting that.

The Kansas City Star suggests Chiefs backup QBs Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray are competing for one roster spot.

According to beat writer Terez Paylor, rookie Aaron Murray is "likely a lock" behind starter Alex Smith. Daniel is due a $2.35 million base salary and could be one-and-done in Kansas City after signing a three-year, $10 million contract last offseason. Bray has a rocket arm and prototypical size, but will have to take the next step in his development as a sophomore to unseat Daniel as the No. 2.

The Chiefs can save $1.4 million by releasing Chase Daniel.

Daniel is due a $2.35 million base salary next year and isn't a lock to beat out Tyler Bray as Alex Smith's backup. He signed a three-year, $10 million contract last March and could be released after just one season with the Chiefs facing cap issues in 2014.

Chase Daniel completed 21-of-30 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown in the Chiefs' Week 17 loss to San Diego.

He added seven scrambles for 59 yards. Daniel got the start with Kansas City resting Alex Smith et al, and served in a dumbed-down game manager role, showing accurate short-passing ability and scrambling chops. Long a favorite of Andy Reid, Daniel signed a three-year, $10 million contract in the offseason to back up Smith. He'll resume that role in the first round of the NFL playoffs.

Chase Daniel is expected to be the Chiefs' starting quarterback Sunday against the Chargers.

Kansas City is in all-out rest-starters mode, sitting Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles even though they are 100 percent healthy. Beat writers also noticed rookie third-string quarterback Tyler Bray preparing before the game as if he might share snaps with Daniel. The Chiefs are without Charles, Dwayne Bowe, and left tackle Branden Albert against San Diego.

Chase Daniel's three-year, $10 million deal with the Chiefs will void if he throws for more than 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in any given season.

In other words, if he becomes a starter, he'll be able to get paid like a starter the following offseason. Barring injury to Alex Smith, Daniel shouldn't get the chance in 2013, but it's a creative clause on the part of his agent.

Chiefs agreed to terms with QB Chase Daniel, formerly of the Saints, on a three-year contract.

Per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, the deal is believed to be worth over $3 million per year. That's quite a pay-day for a player who has attempted just nine career passes, and will enter 2013 as Alex Smith's strict backup. New coach Andy Reid is clearly trying to groom Daniel into a future starter, but he shouldn't threaten Smith's job status this season. Reid has never been one to get caught short at the game's most important position.

The Jets are expected to pursue free agent QB Chase Daniel.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the Chiefs are "very interested" in free agent Chase Daniel.

Per La Canfora, Daniel's market has been surprisingly "very hot" and he could command a long-term backup deal worth "in excess" of $3 million per season. Daniel, 26, would be a respectable clipboard holder for Alex Smith in Kansas City.

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects free agent QB Chase Daniel to "draw interest," and believes he could challenge for a starting job in the "right spot."

Daniel's name has been coming up more and more in recent days, which could either be an indication of good work by his agent, or just how soft the quarterback market is. Daniel wasn't a hot commodity as a restricted free agent last year, but has seen his reputation grow as he's backed up Drew Brees the past three seasons. He's a long-shot to compete for a starting job.

The Sideline View's Adam Caplan expects the Browns to pursue one of Chase Daniel, Brian Hoyer and Matt Moore in free agency.

The Browns are serious about putting heat on 29-year-old sophomore Brandon Weeden, and any of Daniel, Hoyer or Moore would have a legit shot at beating him out in camp. The only player with any real experience, Moore's odds would obviously be the strongest, but Daniel's reputation has steadily grown as he's backed up Drew Brees. Hoyer is a restricted free agent, but shouldn't draw an imposing tender.

ESPN's Pat Yasinskas says the Saints' chances of keeping impending free agent backup QB Chase Daniel are "pretty good."

The Saints don't have the cap room to pony up and keep Daniel in the fold, though, and a team desperate for quarterback help may take a shot on Drew Brees' four-year understudy. The Sideline View's Adam Caplan "has a feeling" at least one of Daniel or Cardinals impending free agent QB Brian Hoyer will be competing for a starting job in 2013. The free agent QB class is very weak at the moment.

Chase Daniel completed 15-of-20 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Saints' preseason opener Sunday night.

The lone blemish was an end-zone pick on a leaping grab by Cardinals UDFA safety Blake Gideon, although Daniel telegraphed his throw. Daniel is a player to keep in mind in the event Drew Brees ever goes down. In his fourth NFL season now, Daniel's career preseason statistics are 87-of-145 (60.0 percent) for 1,162 yards (8.01 YPA), 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Daniel has also scrambled 18 times for 83 yards (4.61 YPC).

Saints No. 2 QB Chase Daniel (thumb) has been practicing throughout training camp.

Daniel worked as the first-string QB throughout OTAs before sustaining a hairline fracture of his right (throwing) thumb in mid-June. As usual, Drew Brees' backup can expect plenty of action in preseason games over the next month.

Chase Daniel will miss the remainder of Saints pre-training camp workouts due to a hairline fracture of his right (throwing) thumb.

Daniel won't be able to throw for 2 1/2 weeks, but coach Joe Vitt expects him to be "fine" for training camp. Daniel operated as the Saints' first-team QB all offseason with franchise player Drew Brees remaining unsigned. New Orleans will turn to Luke McCown and Sean Canfield to close out spring practices.