Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Suffers Dislocated Elbow vs. Cowboys; 'It Took the Air Out of Us'

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. X-rays showed no fracture, and Coach Dan Quinn said he expects Daniels to return this season.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, but X-rays showed no fracture. Daniels will undergo further imaging tests on Monday, and Coach Dan Quinn said he anticipates the quarterback returning this season. "I haven't had any reason to think otherwise," Quinn said.

The Injury Moment

The injury occurred on the final play of the first half. Daniels' feet appeared to get stepped on by left guard Chris Paul as he took the snap on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Daniels started to fall and tried to brace himself with his left hand, and his elbow bent backward. He was quickly surrounded by medical personnel, teammates, and coaches, including Quinn. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota was the first player to reach him. Center Nick Allegretti waved for trainers to come onto the field. Daniels sat up with a towel over his head as he was carted off.

Teammates React

Receiver Terry McLaurin described the emotional toll: "It took the air out of us a little bit. Just trying to score before half, and he went down. That's our brother." Running back Rachaad White, a longtime friend of Daniels, said he struggled to contain his emotions. "I tried to control my emotions, but I had tears coming down. I feel for him."

A Recurring Issue

Daniels dislocated his left elbow last season in Week 9 against Seattle and returned four weeks later, only to reinjure it in Week 14 while attempting a tackle after an interception. He did not play for the remainder of that season. This marks the third time in two seasons that Daniels has dealt with a significant elbow injury.

Mariota Steps In

Marcus Mariota replaced Daniels and will start until Daniels is cleared to return. Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. "Early in my career you try to suppress those feelings and emotions. But I found that you just have to be vulnerable and talk about how you feel. In that moment, my first inkling is just thinking about the guy," Mariota said. McLaurin expressed confidence in the backup. "We have a lot of faith in Marcus. We'll keep supporting Jayden, he'll be around the building. It's only Week 2; we know he'll be back. But at the same time, we have to raise our level of play so Marcus feels our support."

What's Next

Daniels left the stadium with his left arm in a sling, hugging family and friends before departing. Teammates said he spoke to some of them after the game, letting them know he was okay. Quinn defended the decision to go for it on the play where Daniels was injured, saying the team wanted to be aggressive knowing Dallas's offensive firepower.

Here is the question this injury raises. Jayden Daniels has now dislocated his left elbow three times in two seasons, and the Commanders' season hangs on his recovery. When a franchise quarterback's health becomes the defining variable of a team's success, what does it say about the risks of building an offense around a single player?

FAQ:

Q: What injury did Jayden Daniels suffer?
A: Daniels dislocated his left elbow in the first half against the Cowboys. X-rays showed no fracture, and he will undergo further imaging on Monday.

Q: How did Jayden Daniels get injured?
A: Daniels' feet appeared to get stepped on by left guard Chris Paul as he took a snap on the final play of the first half. He fell and tried to brace himself with his left hand, bending his elbow backward.

Q: Will Jayden Daniels return this season?
A: Coach Dan Quinn said he anticipates Daniels returning this season, stating, "I haven't had any reason to think otherwise."

Q: Who will start at quarterback for the Commanders while Daniels is out?
A: Marcus Mariota will start until Daniels is able to return.

Q: Has Jayden Daniels injured his elbow before?
A: Yes, Daniels dislocated his left elbow last season in Week 9 against Seattle and reinjured it in Week 14, missing the rest of the season.

Q: What was the result of the Commanders vs Cowboys game?
A: The Cowboys won 37-20.