LANDOVER, Md. — In a devastating turn of events for the Washington Commanders, quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during the team's lopsided defeat against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. This injury occurred with just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, leaving fans and teammates in shock.
According to a league source, Daniels will undergo further testing on Monday to assess the severity of his injury and to estimate his expected recovery time. The incident unfolded when Daniels was sacked near Seattle’s goal line, causing his left (non-throwing) arm to bend backward severely. As he fell, his full body weight landed on his arm, leading to an immediate reaction of pain.
As the Commanders’ medical staff rushed to his aid, Daniels writhed in pain, prompting teammates to drop to one knee in concern. His left arm was swiftly placed in a large air cast, and the entire Washington bench gathered around him as a cart was brought in to escort him to the locker room. Right guard Sam Cosmi described the moment as “gut-wrenching,” stating, “You could just hear the air being taken out of everybody in the stadium.”
In a surprising show of determination, Daniels declined the cart ride and chose to walk back to the locker room, supported by team athletic trainers who stabilized his arm. Unfortunately, this injury likely marked the unofficial end of the Commanders' hopes in a season that had already been filled with challenges. The 38-14 defeat seemed to seal their fate, turning what was once a promising season into a series of disappointments.
The decision to keep Daniels in the game during a blowout has raised questions among fans and analysts alike. Coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the situation, stating, “Yeah, not in that space. Obviously, the hindsight, you don’t want to think that way where an injury could take place.” He emphasized that the play during which Daniels was injured was not intended to put him at risk, typically involving a handoff or a safe throw, rather than a scramble.
At the time of the injury, the Commanders were trailing 38-7 and had already lost key players, including starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore to a knee injury and receiver/returner Luke McCaffrey to a shoulder injury. This incident adds to a growing list of injuries that have plagued the team this season, affecting multiple star players such as Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown.
This latest injury marks Daniels' third of the season, following previous knee and hamstring issues that resulted in him missing three games, including a recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota shared insights into the team's camaraderie, revealing that many teammates checked on Daniels post-game. He noted that Daniels was in “good spirits,” emphasizing the importance of supporting him mentally during this challenging time.
As the Commanders sit at a disappointing 3-6, the road ahead looks daunting. The team faces eight remaining games, including a week-long trip to Madrid to take on the struggling Miami Dolphins, along with a challenging schedule of divisional opponents. With the potential loss of their star quarterback, the Commanders are left grappling with the reality of a season that has spiraled into uncertainty and disappointment.
