Injury Blow for Commanders as Jayden Daniels Hurts Left Elbow Again

How the injury happened

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was carted off the field on Sunday during the game against the Dallas Cowboys. The injury happened on the final play of the first half, and he was quickly ruled out for the rest of the match.

Daniels appeared to have his feet stepped on by left guard Chris Paul as he took the snap. This happened on a third and goal play from the one yard line. As Daniels fell, he tried to brace himself with his left elbow, which bent back. He managed to throw the ball but stayed on the ground.

After trying to run off the field, he went back down. Medical staff and teammates, including coach Dan Quinn, surrounded him. He was taken away on a cart with a towel over his head.

A worrying history

This is not the first time Daniels has struggled with this specific joint. He dislocated his left elbow last season in Week 9 against Seattle.

He returned to action four weeks later. However, he reinjured the same elbow while trying to make a tackle after an interception in Week 14 against Minnesota. That second injury kept him out for the rest of that season.

Strong start halted

Before the injury, Daniels was having a great game. He had helped the Commanders fight back from a 17-3 deficit. He threw a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs and led a strong drive right before halftime.

Washington chose to go for a touchdown rather than kick a field goal with three seconds left on the clock.

Daniels completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards. He also did damage on the ground, rushing seven times for 69 yards. His play looked like his form from 2024, when he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.