The Washington Commanders lost star quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 2 of the NFL season due to a dislocated elbow. The Commanders fell to the Dallas Cowboys 37-20 as Daniels was injured right before halftime and did not return. The former Heisman Trophy winner has missed the last two games with his latest injury, and doctors don’t seem optimistic about his full recovery.
Sunday, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Daniels is very likely to reinjure himself despite the multiple experts who have examined the Commanders quarterback.
“There are doctors around the NFL who believe it’s a matter of when, not if, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels hurts his left elbow again, sources told ESPN,” Schefter wrote.
“Daniels visited specialists in New York and Los Angeles, and the overwhelming opinion was that playing with a brace was a viable option. But there are doctors around the league who, despite not having examined Daniels, maintain that a player who dislocates his elbow twice — as Daniels has over the past 11 months — is at a higher risk suffering another dislocation, according to sources.”
Despite professional opinion, Daniels looks to make his return Sunday as the Commanders play the New York Giants at home in Washington.
“Daniels was a full participant in practice throughout the week, and Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said Thursday that the third-year star would be a “full go” Sunday against the New York Giants,” Schefter added.
“Blough stressed that there would be no limitations with Washington’s game plan, and Daniels said he can do everything necessary with the brace on, such as hand off and take snaps from center.”
Daniels suffered the same injury last year, crippling the Commanders’ season to 5-12 in 2025. Analysts such as First TakesStephen A. Smith are worried about the young quarterback’s future, even comparing Daniels’ path to 2012-’15 Commanders QB Robert Griffin III.
“I feel bad for the Washington Commanders fanbase. This is RG3 written all over again,” Smith said. “Former No. 2 overall pick, offense rookie of the year…dual threat, slender build, and you’ve incurred these injuries.”
The post ‘It’s a matter of when, not if’: Doctors reportedly fearful for Jayden Daniels elbow injury appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.