Daniels (elbow) is participating in OTAs this week, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports. Daniels' 2025 campaign was filled with injuries, and he missed the final four weeks of the regular season with an elbow injury that he originally suffered in Week 9 against the Seahawks. He returned for Week 14 against Minnesota but aggravated the injury and was shut down for the remainder of the campaign. In total, Daniels made just seven starts last season, completing 60.6 percent of his 188 pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran 58 times for 278 yards and a pair of scores. Daniels will be learning a new offense this summer after Washington hired OC David Blough to replace Kliff Kingsbury.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Daniels (elbow) is being shut down for the team's final three regular-season games, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports. Quinn said the decision is "part medical, part team," and that Daniels will still practice once cleared to do so. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports, however, that upon being medically re-evaluated Monday, the second-year quarterback was not yet cleared for contact. After an outstanding rookie campaign in 2024, Daniels now concludes Year 2 with just seven regular-season appearances, in which he completed 114 of 188 pass attempts for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed 58 times for 278 yards and two scores. Marcus Mariota will remain Washington's starting QB for the rest of the year, beginning Saturday against the Eagles.
The Commanders do not intend for Daniels (elbow) to start any of the team's final three regular-season games, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Daniels was medically re-evaluated Monday and has not yet been cleared for contact, making it likely that he will be unable to gain clearance for Saturday's game against the Eagles. Washington will follow that contest up with a short practice window before facing the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football in Week 17, leaving only Week 18's rematch against Philadelphia as a realistic target for Daniels' return -- one that the Commanders see little upside in risking the franchise quarterback's health for. While head coach Dan Quinn hasn't yet officially announced that Daniels is done for 2025, the expectation is that Marcus Mariota will line up under center for the final three weeks while Daniels turns his full focus toward his rehab.