Even though head coach Dan Quinn said there would be no real update on quarterback Jayden Daniels' recovery timeline after another dislocated elbow until later in the week, the murmurings from insiders and fans haven't stopped. But until the Washington Commanders have all the information they need, it's a guessing game.
Everyone still seems in shock, which is understandable. Nobody expected Washington's franchise player to be sidelined so quickly again. Daniels worked exceptionally hard to get back and set the correct tone this offseason, but an unfortunate spell off the field now awaits again.
Just how long that'll be is undetermined. But if it's for a significant period, the Commanders can kiss their chance of bouncing back goodbye.
Commanders are reportedly hoping that Jayden Daniels doesn't go to injured reserve
Still, a glimmer of hope may be emerging amid the doom and gloom.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said he expects veteran backup Marcus Mariota to start for multiple weeks while Daniels rehabs his elbow. However, he also confirmed the Commanders hope not to place the Arizona State product on injured reserve.
"Marcus Mariota is expected to start on Sunday and I would expect him to start multiple games..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 22, 2026
The Commanders are hopeful that Jayden Daniels doesn't have to go on Injured Reserve"@RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/focMszXBKv
Obviously, this is pending specialists' advice. Daniels is getting different opinions before all parties decide on the best course of action. Not being placed on injured reserve would be a positive, but it's the same risky situation as last season.
And we all know how that turned out.
Any early return would come with Daniels wearing a brace. The more times something gets dislocated without the required surgery, the more likely it is to happen again. Everyone must take this into account, but the dynamic signal-caller will push to return as soon as possible.
Not placing him on injured reserve would keep all options on the table. The Commanders could take things week by week, and this is not Daniels' throwing arm.
Jayden Daniels avoiding injured reserve would provide a slight glimmer of hope
Fans are clinging to every little bit of hope that comes along.
Rapoport is as well connected around the league as anyone, so this is probably what the Commanders are hoping for. That doesn't mean it'll happen, but stranger things have happened.
Until Daniels gets the all-clear to resume football activities, the Commanders will just have to tread water without him. Easier said than done, given their daunting run of upcoming games, but this should now be Quinn's primary focus.
Coaches and players will rally around Mariota. He's a respected leader and has been a great support system for Daniels. While his gifts might be waning, he performed well against the Dallas Cowboys, catching their subpar defense off guard with some outstanding throws.
Doing the same against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks' vaunbted defensive unit is something else entirely.
It's an anxious time for fans. They came into the season with cautious optimism about what this team could accomplish. In just two weeks, that has completely gone.
Even so, if Daniels avoided injured reserve, that would provide the slightest flicker of optimism that something can be salvaged from a season already threatening to spiral out of control.
Time will tell, I guess...
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