Of all the terrible injury luck the Washington Commanders have had this season, it can’t really get much worst than this.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a gruesome injury to his left arm in the fourth quarter of a 38-14 Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that left the rest of the NFL reeling in shock.
Replays of the injury were not for those with weak stomachs.
“Commanders QB JaydenDaniels is expected to be sidelined indefinitely due to his dislocated left elbow, but it is uncertain whether his season is over, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Daniels, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, was back in the lineup after missing a Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury. He’d also missed 2 games earlier this season with a knee sprain.
“A terrifying injury,” Barstool Sports wrote on its official X account. “Prayers for JaydenDaniels.
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted the prayer hands emoji plus “Jayden Daniels” on his official X account.
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, left the field with his left arm in an oversized air cast and surrounded by his teammates.
The loss dropped the Commanders to 3-6. It was their fourth consecutive loss.
The injury brought back memories from almost 40 years ago, when Washington quarterback Joe Theismann suffered a compound leg fracture on Monday Night Football against the Giants.
Blame Placed on Commanders Coaching Staff
Much of the blame immediately following the injury was directed at the Commanders coaching staff, with people questioning why Daniels was even in the game late in a blowout loss and already coming off an injury.
“This was malpractice by Dan Quinn,” CBS Sports NFL analyst Damien Harris said immediately following the injury. “(JaydenDaniels) is your prized possession as a franchise. What’s the point of having him in the game!?”
“JaydenDaniels was set up to fail,” X user Cam wrote on his official account. “Washington couldn’t protect him, signed old, declining players, and expected Daniels to play Superman every week to save them. Jayden deserves so much better.”
“They were punting the football at mid-field down 30 points and JaydenDaniels came back into the game,” Commanders Realm’s Eric Scully wrote on his official X account. “I’m too stuck to even fathom how they allowed that to happen. I’m not going to call for DQ’s job but I can’t remember a worse night for an NFL head coach.”
“I don’t like throwing out the word negligent often, but what the Washington Commanders have done with JaydenDaniels this season has been grossly irresponsible.” former NFL player and podcast host Emmanuel Acho wrote on his official X account.
It left many wondering what the damage to Daniels’ arm might actually be.
“JaydenDaniels‘ elbow dislocation injury was grotesque, but because it is not his throwing elbow, there will not be a Tommy John UCL surgery,” Dr. David Chao wrote on his official X account. “This injury is not career-threatening, and depending on the associated injuries, there is a slim chance it may not be season-ending.”
One former Washington quarterback and former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — with his own history of injury issues — just had to weigh in as well.
“WHY WAS JAYDENDANIELS EVEN STILL IN THE GAME?!?!?!” Robert Griffin III wrote on his official X account.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Suffers Gruesome SNF Injury