Jayden Daniels injury update: Commanders star QB gets positive news on dislocated left elbow

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow late in Sunday night's 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, avoided a serious injury and will not require surgery, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported Friday. He will not be placed on injured reserve and the plan is to re-evaluate the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the year during the Week 12 bye later this month.

"It's a good deal with no surgery," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Friday. "Obviously that makes a big difference if you have an injury not to have to go down that road. I hope to give you guys an update after the bye week about where he is and where we go from there. After that, I'll give you an update on where it's at and it will give us a couple weeks to get to that space"

Daniels was injured when Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas tackled him with less than eight minutes to play and the Commanders trailing 38-8. As Daniels rolled over, he tried to use his non-throwing arm to steady himself; however, upon landing on the grass, his left elbow appeared to bend inwards at an unnatural angle.

Commanders medical staffers rushed onto the field, bracing Daniels' left elbow and arm before the franchise's star signal caller walked off the field being steadied as he entered the tunnel.

Daniels was set to undergo an MRI this week and was initially expected to be placed on injured reserve, but further evaluation revealed no ligament damage, according to NFL Network, allowing Washington to keep him on the active roster for now.

Jayden Daniels fallout: Commanders coach Dan Quinn takes responsibility for not removing QB from blowout loss

Jordan Dajani

Many were quick to criticize Quinn for leaving his starting quarterback in the game with the contest already out of hand. On Monday, Quinn took responsibility for the decision, admitting he should have pulled Daniels earlier.

"I know many of you have been asking about the thought process of Jayden being in the game in that situation. I get that," Quinn said. "I've been thinking about it honestly nonstop too, and for me the answer is, man, I missed it."

Sunday's injury is just the latest obstacle in a difficult sophomore season for Daniels, who missed two games with an ankle injury incurred in Week 2 against the Packers and sat out of Washington's Week 8 game with a hamstring injury suffered against the Cowboys.

The Commanders have been badly hampered by injuries all season. After a magical 12-5 campaign in 2024 that included Daniels winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Washington ended Sunday night with a 3-6 record. Daniels was 16 of 22 for 153 yards with an interception; he also carried 10 times for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Marcus Mariota, who started all three games Daniels previously missed this season, replaced Daniels and completed a touchdown drive. The Commanders are 1-2 with Mariotta starting this season.

Mariota will start again Sunday as the Commanders host the Detroit Lions.