The Washington Commanders confirmed that quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. X-rays showed no fracture, but fans wanted more news after further tests to determine the injury's severity.
According to reports, Daniels had imaging done, but the signal-caller wanted to consult specialists on the best path forward. This aligns with team protocol, and the Commanders want all required information before forming a plan.
This only prolongs the mystery. But head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that veteran backup Marcus Mariota will be under center for Washington's home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Commanders are working with an uncertain timeline before Jayden Daniels' specialist visits
Quinn confirmed insider reports about the plan. He didn't want to speculate, and he didn't say how this year's approach will compare to last year's. The timeline is unknown, but there will be no more real updates until Thursday or Friday, as Daniels visits the specialists in person.
Missing Daniels for any length of time is obviously disappointing. The No. 2 pick in 2024 featured in only seven games last season. He completed just four contests, but there were real signs of encouragement over the summer as the signal-caller looked healthy and ready to remind the world what a special player he is.
Sadly, the football gods threw more bad luck Daniels' way. And the Commanders are now firmly on the back foot.
Quinn is not happy right now, and for good reason.
He's been under fire for being bold on the fourth-down play to close the half, which eventually led to Daniels' problem. It was probably the right call in the circumstances, but it has done nothing to relieve pressure on his job status at 0-2, without his franchise player to depend on.
Commanders must treat Jayden Daniels' dislocated elbow with extreme caution
There is no way Daniels was going to give surgery the green light. He is way too competitive for that, which can be a gift or a curse. If he thinks he can manage with a brace, so be it, but any more complications when he does get back are not an option.
This is not another Robert Griffin III situation. The two are night and day, but the Commanders can ill-afford the injury-prone tag to follow Daniels around.
They are freak injuries through no real fault of his own, but the team must manage the recovery effectively.
And if needed, decisions must be made outside Daniels' control.
Working towards a similar timeline as the first dislocated elbow is a viable option. That will mean a few weeks on the shelf before things are reassessed. Then, Daniels will be back with a brace on, and the Commanders will hope for the best.
But one heavy fall or one big hit can change the landscape considerably.
One only has to look at Daniels' return against the Minnesota Vikings last year to see that.
It's an extremely precarious situation. Not just for the Commanders' outlook this season, but for the franchise's long-term future as well.
The Commanders cannot get this wrong. Or the consequences will be much more severe.
For everybody.
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