Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ elbow dislocation apparently isn't as severe as it was in 2025.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told Ben Standig during Quinn’s media session on Monday that the two dislocations differ. Standig noted that when it occurred in 2025, Daniels missed three games, and a bye week was a fourth week, before Daniels returned to action.
“For me, hearing from the medical team where it (injury) is and how he is doing, I’d say that’s the difference,” Quinn said. “But as far as the compare and contrast, I don’t have an answer for you on that. Just following the guidelines, you know, that are set and going through the process of getting the opinions both in New York and LA (Los Angeles). It kind of sets the plan
in motion, and so we’ll stick to that.”
HERE IS TWO ANGLES OF THE JAYDEN DANIELS INJURY.
— ClutchWire (@ClutchWireHQ) September 20, 2026
HOPEFULLY IT IS NOT AS BAD AS WE THINK. 😔 pic.twitter.com/BfpfgG8sRN
Standig recalls correctly. Daniels suffered the left elbow dislocation in the November 2 NBC Sunday Night Football game against the Seahawks. Daniels then missed the next two weeks of games against the Lions and Dolphins (November 9 and 16). Their 2025 bye week fell on November 23, and Daniels then missed the Sunday night home game against the Broncos (November 30). Daniels returned to action the following week at Minnesota on December 7.
Consequently, Quinn has provided a different timetable for the injury Daniels suffered in the Week 2 game at Dallas. The Commanders will have Daniels available for some sort of practice this week. Of course, Quinn won't give his next opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, any more information than he needs to at this time.
Quinn and GM Adam Peters have both publicly saidDaniels won’t need to miss four games or go on IR, but will be back sooner.
So we’re left to wonder what Daniels will be doing in practice this week. Will they test his left arm (wearing a restrictive brace) to see if he can start Sunday against the Colts in London? Another option is to give Daniels extra time to practice and get reps with the brace this week, though they have no intention of him playing this week. That is, it is time for a few reps each day for their franchise quarterback and sideline individual work, all designed to best prepare Daniels for his return to action 'soon.’
One final thought: perhaps they will use the week for Daniels and returning running back Austin Ekeler to work together on the side with a plan to keep both inactive against the Colts. Perhaps working together this week would better prepare both Daniels and Ekeler to return to active status in their home game on October 11 against NFC East rival, the New York Giants?
Of course, we don’t know for sure yet. What we do know is that Dan Quinn was given a different time frame for Jayden Daniels' elbow injury than they received in 2025. That’s good news for Commanders teammates and the fan base.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' elbow injury different than in 2025
