Washington, D.C. — The Washington Commanders absorbed what looked like a devastating blow to their already-fading season on Sunday night when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels exited late against the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a gruesome arm injury. The replay was difficult to watch, and the immediate reaction around the league suggested the promising quarterback might be done for the year.
However, early reports indicate the situation may not be as dire as initially feared.
The Latest on Daniels’ Status
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Daniels dislocated his elbow and is expected to miss “several games.” While that timeline is still pending further evaluation, Rapoport added that the injury is “not as bad as it could’ve been,” offering a glimmer of hope that Washington’s first-year sensation could return before the season concludes.
The Commanders will have more clarity after Daniels undergoes an MRI on Monday.
One factor working in Daniels’ favor is that the injury occurred to his non-throwing arm. Trainers and team personnel believe that detail could shorten recovery time, though no definitive timeline will be known until imaging results are reviewed.
Washington’s Season Continues to Spiral
Even with the encouraging medical outlook, the injury does little to change Washington’s direction this year. The Commanders fell to 3-6 with Sunday’s loss, and their postseason hopes were already hanging by a thread before Daniels left the field.
By the time he’s medically cleared, the franchise is likely to be far removed from playoff contention, raising questions about whether it would be worth risking their franchise quarterback in late-season games without stakes.
Trade Deadline Implications
With the season effectively slipping away, attention now shifts to the looming NFL trade deadline. League insiders have begun speculating whether the Commanders could emerge as late sellers, potentially creating one of the deadline’s biggest shake-ups.
Washington has several veterans who could draw interest, and Daniels’ injury only intensifies the urgency for the front office to look toward the future.
A Silver Lining
While the visual of Daniels’ arm bending awkwardly sparked widespread concern, early indications suggest the Commanders avoided a catastrophic outcome. For a franchise already in transition, that alone qualifies as welcome news.
The team is expected to release additional information following Monday’s MRI.