Jayden Daniels Elbow Injury
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocates left elbow and faces extended absence.
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Key Points
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Daniels was injured on a botched goal-line play: left guard Chris Paul stepped on his foot as Daniels backed away from center with Washington at the Dallas 1-yard line and three seconds left before halftime.
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The injury came after Daniels had helped keep Washington within reach with his running ability, including scrambles of 18 and 20 yards before his 4-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs.
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Marcus Mariota completed 68.7% of his passes and finished with 111 passing yards and a touchdown after replacing Daniels.
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Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady apologized after reacting to the replay with a profanity, saying, “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to see that.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow on the final play of the first half against Dallas, forcing him off the field and leaving the team searching for answers at 0-2. LA Times reported that X-rays showed no fracture, but WUSA9 confirmed Daniels is ruled out Sunday as the injury sidelines him indefinitely. The injury mirrors last season's breakdown when Daniels suffered the same dislocation against Seattle.
Coach Dan Quinn told reporters he was "just disheartened for him," while backup Marcus Mariota took over and completed 68.7% of his passes for 111 yards in a 37-20 loss to the Cowboys. The Big Lead noted that some are now questioning Quinn's job security after the setback, as Washington's season spirals just two weeks in.
Awkward Fall Ends Daniels' Game at the Goal Line
With three seconds left before halftime and Washington at the Dallas 1-yard line, left guard Chris Paul stepped on Daniels' foot as the quarterback dropped back. Daniels awkwardly planted his left arm to brace his fall, hyperextending the elbow and throwing an incomplete pass as time expired. He was carted off with a towel over his head, ending a promising performance where he had run for 69 yards and thrown a 4-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs.
A Recurrence of Last Season's Injury Nightmare
This marks the second time Daniels has dislocated his left, non-throwing elbow in less than a year. NY Daily News noted that Daniels suffered an identical dislocation on November 2, 2025, against Seattle, forcing him to miss most of the second half of that season. The pattern raises durability concerns for a quarterback who won Offensive Rookie of the Year but now faces recurring soft-tissue breakdowns.
Mariota Steps In as Washington Heads to 0-2
Marcus Mariota took over midway through the second quarter and played the remainder of the game. He completed 13 of 19 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown, stabilizing the offense but unable to close Washington's deficit. The Commanders fell to 0-2 while Dallas improved to 1-1 behind Dak Prescott's four touchdown passes and 279 yards, setting a Cowboys franchise record with his 249th career TD.
Tom Brady Apologizes for Unscripted Reaction on Air
Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady's visceral reaction to the replay captured the unsettling nature of the injury. He reacted with profanity before quickly apologizing on air: "Sorry. I wasn't expecting to see that." The moment reflected how disturbing the hyperextended elbow looked for national viewers, and it underscored the frustration rippling through Washington's locker room.
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