Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has no ligament damage in his right elbow and won’t need surgery or a stint on injured reserve, according to multiple reports on Friday.
An MRI revealed that Daniels does not have damage in the dislocated elbow on his throwing arm, per the reports, and it’s possible he would be ready to return following the Commanders’ bye in Week 12.
Daniels was injured trying to elude Seattle Seahawks defenders last Sunday night in a game that was well out of reach for the Commanders, who trailed 38-7 in the fourth quarter when the second-year quarterback went down. It was Washington’s fourth consecutive loss and third in a row by more than 20 points.
An IR stint would have required Daniels miss four games. He is out Sunday when Washington (3-6) hosts the Detroit Lions (5-3), the fourth start he’s missed this season.
Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed earlier in the week that Daniels was sore and would be sidelined multiple weeks.
Quinn said after the game he was “gutted” by the injury but never considered taking Daniels out of the game despite the lopsided score. A day later, Quinn fell on the sword for lacking the foresight to remove the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Marcus Mariota will start for the fourth time this season on Sunday with Daniels out.
He is 56-of-88 passing for 639 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
