As if the Washington Commanders didn't have enough issues already in the midst of a very disappointing season, the team is now operating without the services of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels has been sidelined since he suffered an ugly elbow injury in the Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The second-year quarterback was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow, which many initially believed might end his season.
However, a recent update on Daniels says otherwise, opening the door for him to play again in 2025.
Here's what we know.
When is Jayden Daniels coming back?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, tests revealed Daniels' injury isn't as bad as first believed, as the young quarterback avoided ligament damage and he doesn't need surgery.
Rapoport adds that, right now, the team is not putting Daniels on injured reserve.
"Sources: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ MRI and medical opinions revealed positive news, as his dislocated left elbow is not as serious as originally anticipated," Rapoport reported.
"There was no ligament damage and he won't need surgery. Daniels will not be immediately placed on Injured Reserve."
With Daniels avoiding IR, that means Washington believes he could be back before missing four games.
After the Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins, the Commanders have a bye in Week 12, so we could see Daniels back in Week 13 or 14.
That said, the Commanders bringing him back might be riding on what their playoff chances look like.
Washington enters Week 11 with a 3-7 record and slim postseason hopes. If the Commanders lose another game or two, it won't be worth it to bring Daniels back, thus Washington might keep him out for the rest of the season.
We will likely know more once the Commanders come out of their bye after next week. If Washington is sitting at 3-8 at that point, the team could very well shut Daniels down.
More NFL news
- Giants, Steelers could make deal for $84 million WR named offseason trade candidate
- Cowboys, Eagles could battle over $106 million star named offseason trade candidate
- Cowboys $80 million defender named offseason trade candidate after Williams, Clark deals
- Jets, Bears linked in awful stat that shares Justin Fields as the common bond
- Steelers 7-time Pro Bowler named most valuable offseason trade chip