Commanders pulled an RG3, and Jayden Daniels really did get hurt again

Billy Heyen

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Commanders pulled an RG3, and Jayden Daniels really did get hurt again image

None of these decision makers are the same, but the history looms over the DMV.

Washington once put Robert Griffin III in harm's way, and his career was never the same. Is there a lesson to be learned there to apply to Jayden Daniels? Sure seems that way.

Except on Sunday, there was Daniels, coming off a nasty dislocated left elbow injury, starting for the 3-9 Commanders.

And there was Daniels, after a tipped-ball interception, chasing after the play only to be clobbered into the ground by a blocker, landing directly on that left elbow.

Clearly hurt, Daniels eventually hopped up and ran off the field. He didn't return to the game.

Afterward, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said the exit was precautionary.

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If it was precautionary after two-and-a-half quarters, where was the precaution pregame?

QBs don't want to leave their teammates out there without them, but this is a franchise quarterback who matters a lot more to this organization's success in Week 1 of 2026 than he does right now.

The Commanders appear to have escaped further damage here. But they took a risk.

If they keep taking it, there's not a ton of reward down the stretch to be had for putting Daniels back on the field.

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Editorial Team