Washington Commanders face season-defining crisis as Jayden Daniels suffers another serious elbow injury
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Leaves Game With Elbow Dislocation After Tripping
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was carted off the field at halftime on Sunday night, after a hyper‑extension of his left elbow on the final play of the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys. The injury, which video footage shows as a clear dislocation, could end Daniels’ season and leave the Commanders scrambling in their second week.
During the play, Daniels pulled away from the center on a handoff but tripped. In an attempt to regain his balance he used his left arm to prop himself up, forcing the elbow beyond its normal range. The resulting hyper‑extension caused the joint to pop out, and Daniels was immediately escorted to the locker room. He covered his face with a towel, presumably to conceal any visible pain from the crowd.
The Commanders brought backup quarterback Marcus Mariota in for the remainder of the game. Mariota, who was on the roster in case of an injury to Daniels, entered the field in the third quarter. The Commanders, who are already struggling after a 2‑0 start, now face a significant uncertainty with their starting quarterback off the field.
Dr. David Chao, a former head physician for the San Diego Chargers and current owner of Sports Injury Central, analyzed Daniels’ injury on tape and posted his findings on X. “By video, clear left elbow dislocation. Similar to last season. Joint comes out easier second time original ligament tear heals ‘looser’,” Chao wrote. The former physician’s assessment suggests that the injury may be more severe than the one Daniels suffered in 2025.
Daniels’ previous elbow injury, which occurred on November 2, 2025, against the Seattle Seahawks, was also a hyper‑extension that caused a dislocation. An MRI at the time revealed no fracture or ligament damage, and the player was spared surgery and placed on injured reserve. He returned in Week 14 of that season, only to aggravate the elbow and miss the final three weeks of the year. That injury forced the Commanders to delay his return until the 2026 season.
The Dallas Cowboys’ win, a 27‑21 victory, left the Commanders with a 0‑2 record. With Daniels out and a young team still finding its footing, the Commanders now face the daunting task of maintaining momentum while dealing with a potentially season‑ending injury.
The NFL will likely review the play and determine whether a formal injury report will be filed. The Commanders’ medical staff has yet to announce a definitive timeline, but given the nature of the dislocation and Daniels’ history, a lengthy recovery is expected.
As the season progresses, Washington will have to rely on Mariota’s experience and the coaching staff’s adaptability. Whether the Commanders can overcome the setback remains to be seen, but the injury to Daniels underscores the fragility of the team's offensive prospects at the start of the season.