Update, Wednesday: Coach Dan Quinn officially ruled Daniels out for Sunday’s game against Seattle.
Jayden Daniels is out for Week 3 with a dislocated left elbow, and the Commanders have not set a timeline for his return. Marcus Mariota starts Sunday’s home opener against Seattle, and Washington expects him to start more than one game. Daniels was hurt on the final play of the first half of the 37-20 loss at Dallas on September 20, had imaging Monday that showed no fracture, and is meeting with specialists this week before the team decides how to handle his recovery.
| Injury | Dislocated left elbow, no fracture on initial imaging |
| When | Sunday, September 20, last play of the first half at Dallas |
| Week 3 status | Out. Marcus Mariota starts vs. Seattle |
| Timeline | None set; specialists this week, IR decision pending |
| Backup behind Mariota | Athan Kaliakmanis, seventh round rookie |
How It Happened
With Dallas leading 17-10 and the clock running out on the second quarter, Daniels stumbled after taking a snap under center, was stepped on by a teammate, and braced his fall with his left arm, which bent backward. He was carted off with the arm in an air cast. Before the injury he was 11 of 17 for 96 yards and a touchdown with 69 rushing yards on seven carries.
The Same Elbow as Last Year
Daniels dislocated the same elbow in Week 9 last season, also against Seattle, missed three games, returned in Week 14, then aggravated it against Minnesota and missed the rest of the year. That history is why the team is going to multiple specialists before setting a plan this time, and why a brace on the left arm is expected whenever he does come back. Coach Dan Quinn has said the recurrence could change how the return is handled, but the team does not yet know how.
The Decision in Front of Washington
The question is whether Daniels goes on injured reserve, which costs a minimum of four games, or stays on the active roster and tries to return inside that window. A stable joint on the specialist evaluations points toward the shorter path; instability points toward IR. The Commanders are 0-2 and face Seattle, then the Giants twice, the 49ers, Rams and Eagles over the next six weeks.
Marcus Mariota
Mariota, 32, relieved Daniels and went 11 of 16 for 111 yards and a touchdown. He started eight games for Washington last season during Daniels’ injuries and has 15 touchdowns against 7 interceptions with the team since 2024. Quinn said the offense will not strip out the mobility built around Daniels; Mariota runs enough to keep most of it.
What to Watch This Week
The Commanders’ first practice report of the week comes Wednesday afternoon and will list Daniels as did not practice. Any announcement on IR would most likely come before Saturday’s roster deadline. This page is updated when the team or the specialists report.
Related
Jayden Daniels stats · NFL injury report · Week 3 waiver wire · Week 3 schedule · NFL standings