Commanders' fans, others react to Jayden Daniels' injury vs. Cowboys

For nearly 30 minutes on Sunday, it looked like we were in for a heckuva game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys . However, just before halftime, the Commanders chose to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal with three seconds remaining. They never had a chance, as left gu

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What is the story about?

For nearly 30 minutes on Sunday, it looked like we were in for a heckuva game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys

. However, just before halftime, the Commanders chose to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal with three seconds remaining. They never had a chance, as left guard Chris Paul appeared to step on quarterback Jayden Daniels’ foot, causing him to break his fall with his left elbow. Unfortunately, it was the same elbow that Daniels dislocated last November.

Instead of tying the game at 17 or going down 17-13 at halftime, the Commanders faced a 17-10 deficit and the loss of their quarterback, all as a result of one play. Daniels did not return, and it’s believed he suffered another dislocation of his left (non-throwing)

elbow.

It was frustrating for Washington and Washington fans. Daniels was looking more like himself in the first half against the Cowboys, completing 11 of his first 14 passes and rushing for 69 yards before the injury. The Commanders appeared to have tied the game in the third quarter, when Marcus Mariota found Dyami Brown for a touchdown. Somehow, the officials did not call it a touchdown, even after the replay, shocking the game announcers, NFL rules expert Dean Blandino and all of social media.

Daniels’ injury, combined with that egregious officiating error, sent the Commanders into a tailspin. Dallas cruised to a 37-20 victory, leaving the Commanders with more questions than answers moving forward.

With Daniels out for the foreseeable future, Mariota will be back under center for Washington. It was a wild game of injuries, officiating errors and bad Commanders’ defense. However, online talk centered on Daniels’ latest injury.

Here’s how social media reacted.

Lots of doctors on this app say that the lack of surgery last time could be a factor in it happening again.

If surgery is the way to make it more stable than it has to be done. You can't have him dislocating it every time he plants his left hand on the turf to brace himself. https://t.co/exAunVCnbj

— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 20, 2026

Jayden Daniels

How ‘bad’ is this elbow injury? ⚠️🚨 pic.twitter.com/jTY9NHCj7R
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) September 20, 2026

I honestly just can’t believe it. It’s week 2 and we’re already waiting for next season to start. We’re really asking if Jayden should be our QB next season and it’s a fair question. I am in such disbelief. pic.twitter.com/DyZpLMImo0
— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) September 20, 2026

This is so brutal for Jayden. Kid has worked so hard 🙏🏻.
— Dan Hellie (@DanHellie) September 20, 2026

#Commanders Jayden Daniels - Likely elbow dislocation. Same elbow as ‘25

Didn’t have surgery in ‘25. Possible to treat w/o surgery again + return in season

But would expect high recurrence risk if so

Suspect he’d opt for surgical treatment, which would likely mean season over pic.twitter.com/iESTlApkKY
— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) September 20, 2026

Family,

The Guard stepped in his foot. WTF does the coach have to do with that? The offense had ALL the momentum. Right decision.
— Disco (@discoque92) September 20, 2026

Two worst takes you can have after the Daniels injury.

1. Blaming the coaching staff
2. Giving up on Jayden or calling him injury prone

It was a freak accident and just bad luck, it’s football it happens. It sucks and I’m devastated but the game goes on. Jayden will be back…
— The Beard (@Timwalkonwater2) September 20, 2026

Is FOX getting paid by the replay of Daniels' elbow popping out of socket? Good lord, man.

Uncle.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 20, 2026

A lot of people said Jayden Daniels shouldn’t get surgery last season since it’s his non-throwing side.
However, this was always a concern for secondary occurrence.
I imagine they’ll recommend surgery now to tighten ligaments & ensure NO future recurrence.

Frustrating. https://t.co/YtYSVyMODx
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 20, 2026

Ruled OUT now
Scary looking injury
Re-injury is never good
But season not over
Can return more quickly than people think with a brace https://t.co/hxaVDyM3TY
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 20, 2026

https://t.co/rNe4971rOr pic.twitter.com/AchjFuvzgC
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) September 20, 2026

I’m f’ing sick.
— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) September 20, 2026

I have no idea why the Commanders didn't kick a field goal.

Jayden Daniels appears to have injured his elbow badly again.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 20, 2026

Three seconds left in the half, on the road, get the points and move to the second half.

You can’t predict what happened but what a damn fluke of a play to see Daniels get hurt on. For an organization that’s seen nasty, gruesome injuries at QB to Joe Theismann, Alex Smith,…
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) September 20, 2026