Jayden Daniels elbow injury: Commanders QB update

Daniel Mader

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Jayden Daniels injury update: Latest news on Commanders QB after elbow injury vs. Seahawks image

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Entering Week 9 of the 2025 season, Jayden Daniels had already been sidelined for several games for the Washington Commanders. 

This second-year star quarterback has faced multiple health issues during a challenging season for Washington, mirroring the Commanders' broader injury struggles across their roster as they aim for a 2024 resurgence. The NFC Championship Game.

However, in a Week 9 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Daniels left the game in the fourth quarter with what was reportedly diagnosed as a dislocated left elbow as his Commanders' teammates surrounded him.

Here's the latest on Daniels after leaving "Sunday Night Football" against the Seahawks.

MORE: How Seahawks beat Commanders on Week 9 'SNF'

Jayden Daniels mystery

Daniels remained in for the Commanders in the fourth quarter of what was becoming a blowout loss to the Seahawks, taking snaps with under eight minutes remaining in the matchup. Washington was threatening to find the end zone for the second time in the game, but still down multiple scores.

On a 2nd & Goal, Daniels was tackled by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas, a sack that set the Commanders back a few yards. But as he was brought to the ground, Daniels' left arm, his non-throwing arm, appeared to get caught beneath him.

Daniels remained on the ground in pain after the play, and trainers and coaches immediately attended to him. He left the game with his left arm in a cast.

Teammates surrounded Daniels as he left the game and went back to the locker room. He walked to the locker room.

MORE: Why Jayden Daniels has earned Robert Griffin III comparisons with injuries

Jayden Daniels hurt

Daniels left Sunday's Week 9 game with a dislocated elbow in the fourth quarter. He did not return, going to the locker room with his left arm in a cast.

Here's a look at Daniels' exit:

The quarterback's official injury was reported as a dislocated elbow by ESPN's Adam Schefter Monday morning. According to Schefter, Daniels is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury and determine how long he will be sidelined.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said postgame that he was "gutted" by Daniels' injury, adding that it wasn't a designed scramble that the quarterback got hurt.

Commanders guard Sam Cosmi called the Daniels injury "gut wretching" postgame.

Jayden Daniels: why remain in game vs. Seahawks?

Given the fact that the Seahawks were leading 38-14 with under eight minutes remaining when Daniels went down in Week 9, some fans questioned why Washington kept its star quarterback in the game late despite it being virtually lost already.

Former Washington star quarterback Robert Griffin III, who Daniels has drawn comparisons to for multiple reasons, was among those questioning the decision to keep Daniels in the game. Griffin posted on social media saying, "With the injuries he's already had this year, and the injuries he had last year, why is he in the game?"

"It doesn't make sense," Griffin said. "I can't help but feel for Jayden Daniels.... All we want for him is a healthy career, a long career. He's the franchise quarterback that Washington has needed."

WHY WAS JAYDEN DANIELS EVEN STILL IN THE GAME?!?!?! Pic.twitter.com/p5giPL9oE3

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 3, 2025

When asked postgame if there was any consideration of not having Daniels in the game by that point of the fourth quarter, head coach Dan Quinn said "not at [that] phase," and that in hindsight, "you don't want to think that way, where an injury could take place."

On Monday, Quinn then addressed the decision to keep Daniels in the game again.

"I get that. I've been thinking about it nonstop too and, man, I missed it," Quinn said, per Nicki Jhabvala. "That is 100% on me."

Jayden Daniels' 2025 health

Daniels had already missed multiple games this season prior to exiting Sunday's game against Seattle. In Week 2, he dealt with a sprained left knee after a hit to his legs against the Green Bay Packers.

Daniels missed two games with that injury, with Marcus Mariota stepping in for Washington. However, the Commanders' QB1 returned in Week 5.

In a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7 though, Daniels once again left with an injury -- he was diagnosed with a low-grade right hamstring strain, head coach Dan Quinn said. Daniels sat out in Week 8 because of the injury, then made his return in Week 9.

Here's a look at Daniels' three injuries in 2025:

  • Week 2: Sprained left knee vs. Packers (missed two games)
  • Week 7: Right hamstring strain vs. Cowboys (missed one game)
  • Week 9: Dislocated left elbow vs. Seahawks, (to be determined)

MORE: Why Jayden Daniels' status was up in the air entering Week 9

Jayden Daniels' backup QB

Behind Daniels on the Commanders' QB depth chart is Marcus Mariota, the former first-rounder turned journeyman veteran. Mariota offers a similar rushing skill set as Daniels, and he's started multiple games in 2025 already.

In Mariota's four game appearances this season, he's totaled 639 passing yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, with 122 yards and a score on the ground as well.

While the Commanders face an uphill battle for an NFC playoff spot at 3-6 entering Week 10, it appears that Mariota will be in line for more starting work following Daniels' potentially serious injury in Week 9.

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