Landover, MD – In a costly coaching decision that backfired spectacularly, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during garbage time of Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Dan Quinn shouldered all responsibility for keeping his franchise player in a 38-7 game, a move that could define Washington’s struggling season.
The Washington Commanders were already facing almost certain defeat when the unthinkable happened. Trailing 38-7 with just over seven minutes remaining, Jayden Daniels took the snap near Seattle’s goal line on a play that would prove devastating.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas took down dynamic quarterback Jayden Daniels as pressure mounted. The tackle caused Daniels’ left (non-throwing) arm to bend at a sickening angle, with the quarterback immediately signaling for help and lying on the field in visible pain.
Daniels eventually walked to the locker room with a temporary cast supporting his injured arm, but the damage was done. The Commanders would ultimately fall 38-14, their fourth straight loss dropping them to a disappointing 3-6 record.
During his Monday press conference, Dan Quinn openly discussed his controversial decision to keep Daniels in the game during what is traditionally considered “garbage time”—a time when the outcome is already decided.
Quinn said, “I know many of you have been asking about Jayden’s thought process in that situation.” “I’ve been thinking about it, honestly, nonstop, too. And for me, the answer is, man, I missed it.”
The head coach explained that the drive was intended to be the final series for Daniels and several other offensive starters. The game plan called for conservative playcalling without designed quarterback runs, but Quinn admitted he failed to account for Daniels’ natural scrambling ability.
“Of course he could scramble. It’s Jayden. That’s what he’s special at, and 100 percent that’s on me,” Quinn stated, according to ESPN reports.
Injury Impact: Daniels’ Troubling Health History
The elbow injury represents the third separate medical setback for Daniels in his sophomore season, raising concerns about the quarterback’s durability despite his electrifying talent.
- Previous Injuries: Daniels missed Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee issue and sat out Washington’s Week 8 contest against Kansas City with a hamstring problem
- Positive Prognosis: Initial X-rays revealed no fractures in the elbow, which medical experts indicate could significantly reduce healing time for the Commanders’ star
- Team Injury Crisis: The Commanders have been decimated by health issues, with 17 players suffering time-costing injuries since the regular season began—11 of them starters
The injury bug struck Washington particularly hard during the Seattle game, with cornerback Marshon Lattimore suffering a season-ending ACL tear and receiver/returner Luke McCaffrey breaking his collarbone—an injury that also ends his year.
The sports world reacted swiftly to Quinn’s controversial decision and Daniels’ injury, with fans and analysts expressing frustration across social media platforms.
Many questioned why a franchise quarterback would remain in a 31-point game with under eight minutes remaining, especially given Daniels’ previous injury history this season. The hashtag #ProtectJD5 began trending among Commanders fans on X (formerly Twitter) following the incident.
On the opposing sideline, even Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold—who delivered a spectacular 21-of-24, 330-yard, 4-touchdown performance—expressed sympathy for his injured counterpart.
“Just thinking about him and what he’s going through right now,” Darnold told reporters after the game. “I just wanted to say that.”
Mariota Takes Over Struggling Squad
With Daniels expected to miss significant time, the Commanders will turn to veteran backup Marcus Mariota to lead the offense. The team does not plan to add another quarterback, with journeyman Josh Johnson serving as Mariota’s primary backup.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for Washington, who face a brutal upcoming schedule:
- Week 10: Host the Detroit Lions
- Week 11: Face Miami in Madrid
- After Bye: Critical divisional games against NFC East rivals
According to CBS Sports, the Commanders could potentially place Daniels on injured reserve, which would sideline him until at least Week 15 . With the team’s playoff hopes already dim at 3-6, his return this season remains uncertain.
