Football players who previously suffer injuries are more susceptible to another similar injury. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is no different.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote Sunday about the concerns doctors have with Daniels set to return in Week 5 against the New York Giants. While Daniels should be able to play with a brace, the quarterback will still be at higher risk of another injury for the rest of the 2026 campaign.
Schefter described the situation as “a matter of when, not if” Daniels suffers another injury to his left elbow.
“Daniels visited specialists in New York and Los Angeles, and the overwhelming opinion was that playing with a brace was a viable option,” wrote Schefter.
“But there are doctors around the league who, despite not having examined Daniels, maintain that a player who dislocates his elbow twice — as Daniels has over the past 11 months — is at a higher risk suffering another dislocation, according to sources.”
Daniels dislocated his elbow during Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. That was his second left elbow dislocation since the start of the 2025 NFL campaign.
The Commanders quarterback is set to play the rest of the 2026 season with a brace on his non-throwing elbow.
“Blough stressed that there would be no limitations with Washington’s game plan, and Daniels said he can do everything necessary with the brace on, such as hand off and take snaps from center,” wrote Schefter.
Jayden Daniels Returning vs. Giants
Daniels remained on the Commanders injury report this week, but he fully practiced. Officially, he has an “unspecified” injury designation, but pundits expect him to play.
Of course, that says nothing about the risk of Daniels returning just three weeks after his second left elbow dislocation in roughly a year. Daniels sustained the second elbow injury on September 20. The quarterback missed the past two games but didn’t go on injured reserve.
There are risks, but there are always risks in life, especially when playing football. NFL insider Albert Breer seemed to characterize the risk Daniels will have with his return as somewhat more standard than the picture Schefter painted.
“It’s never been a question of if Jayden Daniels will need surgery. It’s simply when he chooses to do it,” wrote Breer. “That’s been the case since last year.
“He can play through, though, so long as he can manage the brace.”
Athan Kaliakmanis Set to Backup Daniels in Week 5
With the potential Daniels could suffer another elbow injury, who the Commanders have as their backup quarterback is very notable. In Week 5, that will be rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
The 2026 seventh-round pick was Washington’s backup the past two weeks with Marcus Mariota starting. But Mariota suffered a knee injury last Sunday. Kaliakmanis made his NFL debut, replacing Mariota in the first half.
Daniels returned in time for the Commanders to avoid needing to start Kaliakmanis versus the Giants. But the rookie will be QB2 again Sunday.
In his regular season debut, Kaliakmanis completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards. He also had a touchdown and one interception.
Commanders Get Worrisome Jayden Daniels Update With QB Set to Return vs. Giants