After a magical postseason run in 2024 during which the Washington Commanders QB could do no wrong, it has been the exact opposite in 2025. A sophomore slump might’ve been expected, but no one could’ve imagined the nightmare that the Commanders are living after Week 9.
Daniels exited ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Seattle Seahawks with an elbow injury. To make matters worse, it came with the team facing a 31-point deficit with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Questions will be asked about the reasoning for Daniels’ continued participation at that point, but the freak injury was seemingly just that.
Depending on the timeline, Daniels’ potential extended absence might just be the final nail in the Commanders’ coffin this season.
Here’s the latest on the Commanders’ star.
How long is Jayden Daniels out?
There is not yet a concrete timeline for Daniels’ return to action, but he is expected to miss time after suffering an elbow dislocation against the Seahawks on ‘Monday Night Football.’
ESPN’s John Keim reports Daniels ‘is expected to be sidelined indefinitely, but it is uncertain whether his season is over.’ Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the second-year quarterback is expected to ‘miss several games’ but that ‘the belief is [the injury is] not as bad as it could’ve been.’
Daniels will have an MRI to reveal the extent of the injury Monday. X-Rays on Daniels’ injured left arm were negative, according to multiple reports.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn did not provide much of an update about Daniels’ injury following the game. He simply told reporters during a postgame news conference the 24-year-old quarterback had suffered a left elbow injury.
‘I’ll update you more once I know more,’ Quinn said. ‘But that’s what I know tonight.’
Week 9 marked Daniels’ return to game action after he missed the team’s previous contest with a hamstring injury. He missed two games earlier in the season with a knee injury, marking what has been an injury-plagued season for the young star.
Jayden Daniels injury update
Daniels suffered an elbow injury in Week 9 and had his arm promptly put into an air cast before being helped off the field.
The quarterback was injured on a scramble with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. His arm was bent backward by the Seahawks’ Drake Thomas, who swung Daniels down on the tackle.
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.