The Washington Commanders are facing uncertainty regarding quarterback Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow during Sunday”s game against the Seattle Seahawks. This injury occurred amid a disappointing loss, where the team not only lost their starting quarterback but also faced backlash from fans who questioned the decision to keep Daniels in the game during the final moments.
Head coach Dan Quinn shared on Wednesday that an MRI conducted on Daniels revealed no fractures or ligament damage, which brought some relief. However, the team is still deliberating on the best approach for his rehabilitation process. “We”re going through a final medical meeting today regarding second opinions and that,” Quinn stated. “We should have an update for you within the next day or so.”
This injury comes as the Commanders are already grappling with internal issues, including the recent suspension of defender Frankie Luvu for a hip-drop tackle violation. Quinn stressed the importance of gathering all possible medical assessments before deciding on Daniels” future for the season.
The injury occurred late in the game when the Commanders were trailing significantly, with the score at 38-14. While scrambling, Daniels was hit by linebacker Drake Thomas, causing his elbow to bend in an unnatural manner. Despite the MRI results indicating no severe damage, the recovery time for such injuries can vary widely. A study by the National Institutes of Health highlighted that NFL players who had surgery were sidelined for an average of 73.8 days, whereas those who did not require surgery were out for about 36.1 days. This suggests that Daniels could miss anywhere from five to ten weeks, potentially sidelining him for the rest of the season.
Following the game, Quinn initially defended his decision to leave Daniels in despite the score. “In hindsight, you don”t want to think that way. An injury can take place at any time,” he remarked. However, by Wednesday, he accepted full responsibility for the situation. “I just missed it,” he admitted, placing the blame squarely on himself.
Quinn explained that the play was intended as an option handoff to Chris Rodriguez Jr. rather than a quarterback run, yet Daniels decided to keep the ball as the defense closed in. This injury adds to an already challenging season for the Commanders, who have suffered four consecutive losses, leaving them with a record of 3-6.
As the team prepares for their upcoming game against the Detroit Lions, Daniels was marked as “Did Not Participate” in the initial injury report, confirming he missed the first practice of the week. He was not alone on the sidelines, as several veterans, including Zach Ertz, Von Miller, Quan Martin, Terry McLaurin, Tyler Owens, and Laremy Tunsil, also sat out.
In Daniels” absence, Marcus Mariota is set to take over as the starting quarterback, with Josh Johnson as his backup and rookie Sam Hartman remaining on the practice squad.
