Washington – The Commanders are embracing a “next man up” approach after star quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered an elbow injury in Sunday’s game. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Daniels will spend the next two days consulting with orthopedic specialists to determine the severity of the injury and a realistic timeline for his return.
Backup plan in place
In Daniels’ absence, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to start the weekend’s matchup at 1 p.m. Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as the backup. Quinn emphasized that the franchise will wait for a clear medical update before deciding whether to add another quarterback to the roster.
Injury history
This is not Daniels’ first elbow setback. Last season he missed a month after initially dislocating his elbow in early November, then sat out the final four games when the injury flared again in December. Mariota filled in for eight games that season, leading the team to a 2‑6 record in those starts.
Community outreach continues
Despite the on‑field uncertainty, the Commanders remained active in the community on Tuesday. The team hosted a skills clinic for local students aimed at growing girls’ flag football. Hall of Famer Darrell Green attended the event, speaking to the young athletes about health, perseverance and championship readiness.
Green highlighted the importance of depth and team unity, recalling the franchise’s Super Bowl win with a backup quarterback. “Team sports is a team sport—so it’s 11 players and it’s always, as we always say, next man up,” Green said. “We won a Super Bowl with our first African‑American quarterback, the backup quarterback, who only started two games that season and we won that Super Bowl.”
Looking ahead
As Daniels awaits medical clarity, the Commanders are focused on staying competitive this weekend. Mariota’s experience and Kaliakmanis’ readiness provide the team with options, while the coaching staff monitors Daniels’ progress closely. Fans can expect an update on Daniels’ status before the next game, keeping the “next man up” philosophy at the forefront of the organization’s approach.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
