Washington, D.C. – The Commanders are dealing with a setback at quarterback as 25‑year‑old Jayden Daniels sustained a dislocated left elbow during the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The injury occurred on the final play of the first half when Daniels planted his left arm on the ground and the joint buckled.
Immediate impact on the roster
Daniels was forced to leave the game and has since missed Washington’s Week 3 victory over the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. He is also slated to sit out the Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in London, leaving the team to rely on veteran Marcus Mariota for the next start.
Potential surgery and timeline
According to an ESPN report cited by Field Level Media, the elbow injury may require surgical repair, but the Commanders plan to delay any procedure until the offseason. General manager Adam Peters confirmed on Friday that surgery is not currently on the table and that Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve. The team has listed him as “week‑to‑week,” indicating they hope he can return as soon as medically feasible.
History of the injury
This is the second dislocation of the same elbow for Daniels in the past ten months. He first suffered the injury in a 38‑14 home loss to the Seahawks during Week 9 of the 2025 season. After missing three games, he returned in Week 14 with a protective brace, only to aggravate the joint and miss the remainder of that season.
Performance this season
Despite limited action, Daniels has completed 56.9% of his passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He has also contributed 100 rushing yards on 12 carries, showing his dual‑threat capability when on the field.
What’s next for Washington
With Daniels sidelined, the Commanders will look to Mariota to guide the offense. In his most recent start, Mariota led Washington to a 33‑31 win over Seattle, completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns. The team hopes to maintain momentum while Daniels recovers.
Outlook
Fans can expect Daniels to focus on rehabilitation throughout the remainder of the season, with the goal of returning healthy for the 2027 campaign. The Commanders’ medical staff will monitor his progress closely, and any decision on surgery will be made after the season concludes.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
