Jayden Daniels Faces New Elbow Injury in Commanders’ Game

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was taken off the field on a cart during halftime against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The injury, appearing to be to his left elbow, occurred during the last play of the first half.

Daniels seemed to have hyperextended his left elbow in a visibly distressing manner. The incident happened as he stumbled after taking the snap. He tried to steady himself with his left arm, and the elbow collapsed incorrectly.

Dr. David Chao, formerly the head physician for the San Diego Chargers and now with Sports Injury Central, reviewed the play through video. He stated, “By video, clear left elbow dislocation… Similar to last season… Joint comes out easier the second time original ligament tear heals loosely.” Daniels has faced a similar injury before, making this a potentially season-defining setback for both him and the Commanders.

In 2025, Daniels dislocated his elbow in a Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Although no fracture or major ligament damage was found, allowing him to avoid surgery, the injury affected his performance. He returned briefly before being shut down for the remaining games to focus on recovery for the next season. This latest injury jeopardizes his recovery progress.

With Daniels sidelined, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota has come into play. The Commanders must navigate this challenging situation as they face uncertainty early in the season.