Commanders head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged Monday that he should have removed quarterback Jayden Daniels before the final drive in Sunday’s 38-14 loss to the Seahawks, during which Daniels dislocated his left elbow. “I just missed it. That is 100% on me,” Quinn said, marking a reversal from his initial postgame comments.
Daniels’ injury occurred with 7:39 left in the fourth quarter after being sacked near the goal line. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but further testing is pending, and Quinn confirmed the injury will keep Daniels sidelined for a significant period.
Multiple Key Washington Players Injured, Daniels’ Elbow Highlights Team’s Ongoing Injury Struggles
Sunday’s game also saw two other season-ending injuries for Washington: cornerback Marshon Lattimore tore his ACL, and receiver/kick returner Luke McCaffrey fractured his collarbone. Additionally, receiver Terry McLaurin remains unlikely to play in the upcoming game against Detroit due to a quad injury that has already kept him out for five games. With Daniels out, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback, backed up by Josh Johnson, while Sam Hartman remains on the practice squad.
Jayden Daniels (NFL)Daniels, who had been pressured on a career-high 51% of his dropbacks, was injured while scrambling to his right after choosing not to hand off to running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. Quinn admitted that they had planned for Daniels’ final series to be his last on the field, but the quarterback’s decision to scramble resulted in the elbow dislocation. Daniels had previously missed three games this season due to knee and hamstring injuries, highlighting a recurring injury concern for the young quarterback.
Teammates React Emotionally to Daniels’ Injury, Highlighting Football’s Physical and Team Impact
The incident drew emotional reactions from teammates. Tight end Zach Ertz described being “distraught” over seeing Daniels in pain, emphasizing the personal bond and respect players have for one another beyond on-field performance. The injury underscores the physical toll of football and its impact not just on individual players but on the morale of the team as a whole.
Quinn emphasized that there will be no changes to the defensive coaching staff, although defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will move from the press box to the field. The Commanders continue to struggle defensively, ranking near the bottom in yards and scoring allowed. Quinn expressed confidence in both the players and coaching staff despite recent setbacks, affirming his belief that the team can execute better and improve performance moving forward.
