All might not be lost for the Washington Commanders when it comes to quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels suffered what appeared to be a season-ending injury to his left, non-throwing arm in a Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks but Daniels must be some sort of human Gumby, because now there’s a chance he could actually play again in 2025.
According to reports, there’s a chance Daniels could retur to face the Denver Broncos in Week 13, which would be immediately after Washington’s bye in Week 12.
“I’m told Jayden Daniels could potentially be back after three weeks on that elbow issue,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on Saturday, November 8. “Not gonna need surgery. They’re not putting him on injured reserve, but talking to the team, people with (Daniels), this could turn iinto a five-to-six week thing real fast , depending on when they revisit this thing, into a two to two-and-a-half, three week thing.”
That would mean only missing 2 games; a home game against the Detroit Lions in Week 10 and a game against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain, in Week 11.
“Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow, but avoided ligament damage,” 106.7-FM The Fan Sports Radio wrote on its official X account. “No surgery needed. The team hasn’t put him on injured reserve, holding open the possibility of a return as soon as week 13. The big takeaway is our QB is basically Gumby, which is incredible.”
Daniels has already missed 3 games due to injuries this season; 2 games after a knee sprain suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers and 1 game due to a hamstring injury.
Daniels Avoiding Surgery Key to Everything
Not having to undergo surgery has been the key to any sort of hope Daniels might return to play for the Commanders, who have lost 4 consecutive games and are on the brink of their season falling apart with a 3-6 record.
To say the Commanders’ season is on the brink one year after making it to the NFC Championship Game would be accurate.
“Sources: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ MRI and medical opinions revealed positive news, as his dislocated left elbow is not as serious as originally anticipated,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account Friday, November 7 “There was no ligament damage & he won’t need surgery. Daniels will not be immediately placed on Injured Reserve.”
Marcus Mariota will start against the Lions in place of Daniels. Veteran journeyman Josh Johnson will serve as Mariota’s backup.
Washington spent the offseason re-tooling their roster around Daniels. That included high profile trades for left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel as well as drafting offensive tackle Josh Conerly in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Even before the latest injury, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon singled him out as the team’s “Biggest Disappointment” through the first 2 months of the regular season.
“The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has also fallen in 2025,” Gagnon wrote. “It’s not quite ‘sophomore slump’ territory just yet, but his completion rate is down eight points and his QBR has sunk by more than 16. Knee and hamstring injuries have been a big factor, though.”
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