The Washington Commanders’ season is an exercise in Murphy’s Law – whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
Jayden Daniels has already been bitten by the injury bug in 2025, but it came back for seconds in Week 9. The quarterback had a tough night at the office in his return to game action, but it was cut short halfway through the fourth quarter.
The Commanders were down 38-7 at the time of Daniels’ injury, but the scene didn’t look particularly good at Northwest Stadium.
Here’s what to know about the Commanders quarterback:
Jayden Daniels injury update
Daniels suffered a left elbow injury on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 9. Head coach Dan Quinn said after the game that he didn’t have a further update on the quarterback.
Considering the team was facing a 31-point deficit at the time of the injury, Quinn was asked whether there was any consideration of removing the quarterback to prevent potential injury.
‘Not at that space … you don’t want to think that way where an injury can take place,’ Quinn said.
Daniels was helped off the field with his left arm in a cast. He exited with 7:29 remaining in the fourth quarter and was seemingly in a lot of pain.
The quarterback’s arm was twisted backward, and there was immediate concern on the field. He was later helped to the locker room and taken for X-rays, according to the NBC broadcast.
Daniels was making his return on ‘Sunday Night Football’ after missing the last game with a hamstring injury. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has already missed three games this season.
He previously missed Week 3 and Week 4 with a knee injury.
Marcus Mariota, who started the previous games in Daniels’ absence, came on in relief for the Commanders’ star.
Commanders QB depth chart
Jayden Daniels (injured)
Marcus Mariota
Josh Johnson
Daniels is the unquestioned starter in Washington. As he goes, the Commanders go. He is the face of the franchise and one of the league’s brightest young stars.
It’ll be difficult for Washington to continue their playoff chase without their starter under center.
Mariota figures to continue starting, while Johnson serves as the backup if Daniels is forced to miss an extended period.