Third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is a strong character. He'll need to be, because the Washington Commanders franchise player is now dealing with a second dislocated elbow after another gruesome fall against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Daniels will miss significant time, which wasn't exactly breaking news. But he also highlighted the difficult decision the Commanders may face in the near future.
It's also a decision that must be carefully considered to protect Daniels' long-term aspirations in Washington.
Jayden Daniels surgery would be a last resort for the Commanders
Schefter acknowledged that more imaging will be done today (Monday) to determine the injury's severity and potential return timeline. It could be weeks; it could be months, but the prospect of getting surgery is also firmly in play.
That would likely put Daniels on the shelf for the entire season. It's something the player is probably looking to avoid, but if the medical staff decides it's the best course of action, the decision must be taken out of his hands.
Letting the player dictate this is not an option.
A lot of unknowns remain. Schefter was speculating rather than saying anything concrete, but it's still worth monitoring.
Daniels might be willing to tough it out with an arm brace and get surgery in the offseason. That's a risky call, but he's a big-time competitor who hates sitting out. He's done far too much of that over the last year, and this season has quickly added to this concerning trend.
Head coach Dan Quinn might have more information in the coming hours. Fans might have to wait a little longer, but what cannot be disputed is how damaging this injury is to Washington's hopes of bouncing back in 2026.
Jayden Daniels cannot dictate his injury situation after another cruel setback
The Arizona State product was carving open the Cowboys, both in the pass and on the run, before a devastating turn of events to end the first half. Daniels' X-rays came back negative, but that's just the start.
More tests — and some potentially difficult decisions — are coming. The conclusions could also have franchise-altering implications.
Schefter touted the possibility of surgery, which means it's being discussed around the league. Something is clearly wrong with Daniels' elbow internally, especially since he didn't have surgery to fix it last year. That won't guarantee it doesn't flare up again, but it's a whole lot better than doing nothing.
If this becomes a recurring theme, and Daniels can't cushion his falls for fear of the elbow bending out of place, he'll find it extremely difficult to be impactful.
This is a catastrophe. Daniels carried Washington's fortunes in the palm of his hand, and now he'll be off the field again. No one knows how long, but it doesn't bode well for the Commanders with so many difficult games ahead.
Uncertainty hangs in the air, dismay is clear, and the energy has been cruelly drained from Washington. That's how important Daniels is, and that's how influential he is both on and off the field.
Surgery might be a last resort. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be the smartest move.
Time will tell on all fronts.
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