Washington, D.C. – Commanders general manager Adam Peters told listeners on 1067 The Fan that quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to be back on the field within the next month. After consulting doctors nationwide, the team decided surgery is not required for Daniels’ dislocated left elbow.
Medical outlook
Daniels suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys when he stumbled while pulling away from center and braced himself against the turf. The elbow gave way, forcing doctors to pop it back into place. X‑rays showed no fracture, but the injury was serious enough to sideline him for the remainder of that game.
Specialists from across the country evaluated Daniels and offered a range of opinions. While some initially suggested season‑ending surgery, the consensus now is that rest and treatment will allow him to continue playing without an operation. Peters emphasized, “We got a lot of good opinions. As of right now, surgery is not on the table and we haven’t discussed IR.”
Impact on the roster
The Commanders expect Daniels to miss no more than four games. Anything beyond that would likely trigger a move to the injured reserve list. In the interim, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will start for Washington, at least through the upcoming week.
Daniels’ situation mirrors his 2025 season, when he dislocated the same elbow against the Seattle Seahawks, avoided surgery after tests showed no ligament damage, and later re‑injured the arm upon returning, ending his season.
What fans can expect
For Commanders supporters, the news ends a brief period of uncertainty and hand‑wringing. While the team still anticipates a short absence, the avoidance of surgery is a positive sign for Daniels’ long‑term health and the quarterback depth chart.
Fans should watch for updates as the team finalizes the game plan for the weeks ahead. The Commanders remain confident that Daniels will regain full strength and be ready to lead the offense before the season’s crucial stretch.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
