Daniels missed Washington’s previous two games after suffering a dislocated elbow during the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The injury affected his non-throwing arm, but the quarterback has worked his way back and completed a full week of practice, putting him in position to return against New York.

The Commanders initially took a cautious approach to Daniels’ recovery, ruling him out for the Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts in London despite signs of progress. He practiced while wearing a protective brace on his left arm, and Washington ultimately decided to give him additional time rather than risk bringing him back too soon. Now, with Quinn confirming his return, Daniels will look to help the team turn its season around.

Who is out for Commanders vs Giants?

Jayden Daniels’ return is particularly important for Washington given the uncertainty surrounding several other offensive players. The Commanders will be without wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who has been ruled out of Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury. His absence leaves Washington without one of its key receiving options for a divisional matchup against the Giants.

Terry McLaurin, meanwhile, remains a player to watch. The wide receiver has also been dealing with a hamstring injury and missed the Week 4 matchup against Indianapolis. After missing practice earlier in the week, McLaurin returned to the field on Friday, with Quinn indicating that the veteran looked good during the session. His status remained uncertain pending the team’s final designation, leaving open the possibility that he could be a game-time decision.

With Daniels back under center but Diggs unavailable, McLaurin’s potential return could be crucial to Washington’s passing attack. The Commanders will want to avoid rushing the receiver back before he is ready, especially given the nature of his injury. His progress on Friday offered some encouragement, but the team’s final decision will determine whether Daniels has another key weapon available against a Giants team that enters the contest with a 3-1 record.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels was cleared to start against the Giants after missing two games with a dislocated elbow.
• Stefon Diggs was ruled out of Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury.
• Terry McLaurin returned to practice on Friday after dealing with a hamstring injury.

The injury update on Mariota isn’t encouraging, with Molly McGrath of ESPN reporting that the 32-year-old aggravated his MCL injury. The veteran quarterback will have tests but is expected to miss some time.

While this is a huge blow for head coach Dann Quinn, there’s hope that Daniels, who suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, returns in Week 5 against the Giants.

Injuries in the Commanders QB room

Mariota was doing just fine. In fact, he led Washington to an unexpected win over the reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks before his injury against the Colts.

Having Daniels back next week would come just in time for the Commanders, who need to bounce back after their trip to England. Even though Kaliakmanis showed flashes of his potential and came up with a couple of great plays (including a 47-yard passing touchdown to Treylon Burks), he also faced some challenges in his NFL debut, with Washington losing 13-30.

Facing a division rival that is above them in the NFC East standings, the Commanders will prefer to avoid rookie mistakes in Week 5. With Daniels, the team will probably host the Giants with more confidence.

NFC East standings after Week 4

The Week 5 showdown will give the Commanders a chance to reduce the gap with the Giants, who finished Week 4 atop the NFC East thanks to their win over the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams:

1. NY Giants (3-1)
2. Eagles (2-2)
3. Cowboys (2-2)
4. Commanders (1-3)

Key takeaways

• An aggravated MCL injury will cause Marcus Mariota to miss time.
• A 47-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks highlighted Athan Kaliakmanis’s debut.
• Week 5 against the Giants could see Jayden Daniels return from injury.

Although Daniels practiced on a limited basis this week and traveled with the rest of his teammates to London, the coaching staff ultimately ruled him out. Once again, veteran Marcus Mariota will take the reins and start at quarterback.

The primary backup for this game against the Colts will be rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, just as he was against the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, Daniels continues to recover from the injury to his non-throwing arm.

When could Daniels return?

Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys when he landed awkwardly after getting knocked down. Luckily for Washington, tests showed no fractures or major ligament damage, and he dodged surgery or an IR stint altogether.

He already got back to practice this week in a limited role while sporting a protective brace on his non-throwing arm. Dan Quinn expects him to have a full week of practice next week, putting him right on track for a potential Week 5 return against the New York Giants.

Establishing themselves in the NFC East

Sitting at a 1-2 record after getting back on track with a tight win against Seattle, the Commanders know that climbing back into the NFC East race means capitalizing on their upcoming slate. After heading to London in Week 4, their schedule starting from Week 5 features a crucial mix of division rivalry and top-tier road tests:

• Week 5 (Oct 11): vs New York Giants (Northwest Stadium, Landover)
• Week 6 (Oct 19 – MNF): at San Francisco 49ers (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)
• Week 7: BYE WEEK
• Week 8 (Nov 1 – SNF): vs Philadelphia Eagles (Northwest Stadium, Landover)
• Week 9 (Nov 8): vs Los Angeles Rams (Northwest Stadium, Landover)

If Dan Quinn‘s squad can protect home field against the Giants and Eagles in this stretch, they’ll turn the NFC East into an absolute dogfight before November even hits.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels was ruled out for the London game due to an elbow injury.
• Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders against Indianapolis.
• Washington hopes for a potential Week 5 return against the New York Giants.

Daniels suffered the injury on the final play of the first half against Dallas. The incident immediately raised concerns about the severity of the damage, as the quarterback’s arm appeared to bend awkwardly before he was taken to the locker room. Initial fears suggested that Daniels could potentially miss the remainder of the season.

However, Washington has received encouraging news regarding its starting quarterback. After additional imaging and consultations with specialists, Daniels was not placed on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility of a quicker return. For now, the Commanders will have to rely on Marcus Mariota while their young quarterback continues his recovery.

When will Jayden Daniels return?

The positive news for Washington is that Jayden Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve and is now considered week-to-week. That means the quarterback will not automatically be required to miss at least four games, giving the Commanders hope that he could return sooner than initially expected.

The decision not to place Daniels on injured reserve came after doctors evaluated his elbow injury and consulted multiple specialists. Although there is no confirmed return date, both Daniels and the Commanders are reportedly aiming for him to return as soon as possible. His recovery will ultimately determine when he can resume playing.

For now, Daniels will miss the game against Seattle as Washington continues to monitor his progress. The injury initially appeared to be a potential season-ending setback, but the latest update has significantly improved the outlook for the Commanders. If his recovery progresses as hoped, Washington could have its starting quarterback back before the team initially feared.

Who is Commanders starting QB vs Seahawks?

Marcus Mariota will be the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders against the Seattle Seahawks. In Dallas, the veteran took over in the second half throwing for 111 yards and one touchdown.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels is out against Seahawks due to dislocated left elbow suffered against Cowboys.
• Commanders quarterback will avoid injured reserve and is currently evaluated as week-to-week.
• Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for Washington in Daniels’ absence.

The Commanders’ depth chart took a hit following Daniels’ injury, which appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario. For this game, the primary backup behind Mariota will be rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.

Things appear to be much clearer for the Seahawks, especially with Darnold’s return. The primary alternative at the position is Drew Lock, who played a significant role in Weeks 1 and 2, while Jalen Milroe sits further down the QB room.

Daniels’ status is week-to-week

It was a scary moment for Washington during their Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys when Jayden Daniels went down with a dislocated left elbow right before halftime while trying to brace his fall. Fans were bracing for the worst—especially given his past elbow troubles—but the latest medical evaluations brought some relief, ruling out IR for now.

He is currently considered week-to-week, and while surgery isn’t immediately on the table as he attempts a quick return, medical experts suggest a potential procedure at the end of the season might still be needed to fix ligament joint laxity once and for all.

Darnold’s highly anticipated return

The Seahawks held their breath in the season opener against the New England Patriots when Sam Darnold went down after taking a heavy sack on the very first drive. What was initially feared to be a serious hip or leg issue turned out to be a weird soft-tissue glute injury, which kept him sidelined for Week 2 against Arizona.

Fortunately for Seattle, Drew Lock stepped in and kept the offense humming, leading his team to a 2-0 record and keeping them among the top contenders in the NFC.

Key takeaways

• Marcus Mariota will start for Washington, while Sam Darnold returns as Seattle’s primary quarterback.
• Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as the Commanders’ primary backup quarterback behind Mariota.
• Jayden Daniels is considered week-to-week after suffering a dislocated left elbow against Dallas.

The Commanders quarterback suffered the injury on the final play of the first half in Washington’s 37-20 loss to Dallas. Daniels’ arm was placed in an air cast as he was taken from the field, and the way the elbow appeared to bend immediately raised fears that the injury could end his season. Initial X-rays ruled out a fracture, but additional imaging and specialist evaluations were needed to determine the severity of the damage.

Now, Adam Schefter has delivered the kind of update Washington was hoping to receive after several days of uncertainty. Schefter reported that Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve, meaning the Commanders are not currently expecting an extended absence that would automatically keep their quarterback out for at least four games.

Jayden Daniels avoids injured reserve in huge break for Washington

Schefter’s report provided the clearest indication yet that the situation is considerably more positive for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders than it appeared on Sunday night.

“Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve, sources confirmed to Ian Rapoport and me. After imaging on his dislocated left elbow was evaluated and multiple specialists were consulted, the consensus is that Daniels now will be considered week-to-week. Both Daniels and the Commanders say they are aiming for him to return as soon as possible.”

That is a major break for the Commanders. Placing Daniels on injured reserve would have guaranteed that he missed at least four games, while Washington can now monitor his recovery and potentially bring him back sooner if he is medically cleared.

Who is Commanders backup QB?

There is still no specific return date for Jayden Daniels, and the Washington Commanders will have to rely on Marcus Mariota while their young quarterback recovers.

However, the difference between fearing a season-ending injury when Daniels left the Cowboys game and now having him classified as week-to-week is enormous. For the Commanders, this update preserves the possibility of getting their starting quarterback back much earlier than initially feared.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels is week-to-week after suffering a dislocated left elbow.
• Washington will not place their starting quarterback on injured reserve.
• The team will rely on Marcus Mariota while their starter recovers.

“I’m not going to assume on the timeline,” Quinn said to the press. “Once I know, I’ll share it with you to go. But I think just for me to say, this many weeks or not, I’d rather wait on that and let’s get all the info. But that said, I’d also say, yeah, we have a lot of confidence in what we do and what we’ve been doing. … But as far as a timeline, or what, or who else to add, we’ll wait on that.”

With the Seattle Seahawks looming in Week 3, Dan Quinn will once again have to rely on what Marcus Mariota can provide for his team. Athan Kaliakmanis, the quarterback selected in the most recent draft, is listed as the other option on the depth chart.

What we know about Daniels’ injury

Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated non-throwing elbow during the Commanders‘ loss to America’s Team. It happened on the final play of the first half when guard Chris Paul accidentally stepped on his foot, causing Daniels to lose his balance and awkwardly extend his left arm to break his fall—a brutal situation considering it’s the exact same elbow he dislocated late last season.

Fortunately, initial X-rays confirmed there are no fractures, but he’s currently meeting with specialists to review MRI results and determine if there’s any ligament damage or need for surgery.

A tough schedule ahead for the Commanders

After taking on Seattle in Week 3, the Commanders pack their bags for London in Week 4 to face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Following that overseas trip, they head back home to host a key divisional clash against the New York Giants in Week 5, before flying out to the West Coast for a heavy Monday Night Football showdown against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Dan Quinn cannot provide an exact timeline for Jayden Daniels’ return.
• Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota will start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
• X-rays revealed no fractures to his dislocated non-throwing left elbow.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN told the cold, hard thoughts many of the Commanders‘ fanbase might have right now. During Monday’s edition of First Take, Smith said “I feel bad for the Washington Commanders’ fan base. This has RG3 written all over it again.”

Given how Griffin‘s career ended, it’s a very concerning prediction for Daniels, who is in year three of his career, but already has been filled with injuries. The parallelisms are there.

Griffin and Daniels have way too many similarities

Jayden Daniels and Robert Griffin III share striking career parallels as dynamic, Heisman-winning No. 2 overall draft picks for Washington who lit up the NFL as rookies before facing significant injury concerns. Also, both won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year awards.

Both electrified the league with elite dual-threat play, setting high standards for rushing production by a rookie quarterback in franchise history. Daniels and Griffin suffered concerning injuries that sparked this sense of déjà vu for fans worried about a promising career derailed by health issues.

Daniels hasn’t suffered mobility-affecting injuries

The good thing about Daniels is that the injuries he’s suffered aren’t ones that fully affect his style of play. He has suffered dislocated elbows but in his non-throwing hand. Also, his legs are still a threat.

Meanwhile, Griffin had right knee ACL and LCL tears and also suffered a dislocated ankle. Hence, his ability to withstand contact and run on the field was heavily compromised, and he ended up playing just eight seasons, but his level started to decline until he was just a mere backup.

Key takeaways

• Jayden Daniels faces growing injury concerns in his third NFL season with Washington.
• Stephen A. Smith likened the situation to Robert Griffin III, a fellow No. 2 pick.
• Griffin played eight seasons in the NFL after severe knee and ankle injuries reduced his effectiveness.

“Oh no,” Brady said as the injury unfolded, before also letting a profanity slip out while reacting to the graphic replay. Brady immediately apologized for the language, acknowledging that he did not expect the broadcast to show such a disturbing replay.

The moment quickly spread across social media as fans reacted not only to Brady’s unfiltered response but also to the severity of Daniels’ apparent injury. The Commanders quarterback was carted off the field after hurting his left elbow on the final play of the first half.

What happened to Jayden Daniels’ left elbow?

Jayden Daniels suffered the injury with Washington facing the Cowboys near the goal line and the clock winding down before halftime. The quarterback took the snap but appeared to have his foot stepped on by an offensive lineman, causing him to lose his balance and reach out with his left arm to brace his fall.

The quarterback’s left elbow appeared to bend awkwardly as he landed, and Daniels immediately showed signs of pain. He was eventually helped from the field and placed in an air cast before being taken to the locker room on a cart.

The injury is particularly concerning because it appears to involve the same left elbow Daniels injured during the 2025 season. Daniels previously suffered a dislocated left elbow and missed time because of it, making Sunday’s incident an especially worrying development for Washington.

For now, the injury should be described as an apparent left elbow injury rather than a confirmed diagnosis. Early reports and video appeared consistent with another dislocation, but the Commanders would need further medical evaluation to determine the full extent of the damage and establish a recovery timeline.

Daniels had been playing well before leaving the game, completing 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards on seven carries. Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback after Daniels was forced out.

Brady’s reaction added another viral moment to what was already a frightening scene. The FOX broadcaster’s immediate “Oh no” and subsequent apology showed just how shocking the replay was, while Daniels’ injury left Washington facing major questions about its quarterback situation.

• Jayden Daniels
• Marcus Mariota
• Athan Kaliakmanis (emergency third QB)

Mariota replaced Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Last season, Daniels also wasn’t available much due to injuries. One in particular very similar to this one.

Daniels already suffered an injury to his left elbow

Jayden Daniels previously suffered a severe dislocated left elbow on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. It was the same exact elbow he injured just now against the Cowboys.

Daniels had the grit to still try and finish the play. According to medical clinic Access Ortho, dislocating the same elbow twice greatly increases the risk of chronic joint instability, permanent stiffness, and early-onset arthritis.

How much will Daniels be out?

While imaging and MRIs still need to be taken, it seems like this injury was almost identical to the one he suffered in 2025. In that case, he ended up missing three games for the Commanders.

However, given that this is a re-injury, he could probably miss even more time. This would mean Marcus Mariota is under center for the foreseeable future. Mariota is also a mobile QB, though he doesn’t bring the upside Daniels provides.

According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports, it’s highly unlikely that Jayden Daniels will play vs Miami Dolphins. This comes after a very hectic 36 hours for Daniels. Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a controversy where he feels disrespected by LSU. However, per Finlay, that controversy has nothing to do with Daniels not playing.

On the flip side, Malik Willis will actually play for the Dolphins vs. Commanders. Jayden Daniels is coming off a very bad sophomore year where he didn’t play well and suffered a lot of injuries as well.

Jayden Daniels’ preseason stats

Given that 2024 was his rookie year, Daniels did manage to log some preseason stats. However, after a stellar rookie season, he was pretty much rested throughout the 2025 season by the Commanders and he is scheduled to play a minimal role this year.

Commanders’ preseason schedule

The Commanders will be on the road quite a lot during the 2026 NFL Preseason. Facing two AFC teams, the Commanders will face the Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. The only NFC foe will be the Detroit Lions.