ARLINGTON, Texas -- For nearly an entire half on Sunday, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels resembled the player from 2024, the one who was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and mentioned as a future league MVP.
On the final drive of the first half at the Dallas Cowboys, Daniels provided reminders of that season: He ran for 24 yards and threw for another 27, including a strike on third-and-6 to Stefon Diggs for 10 yards.
Then, on the final play of the half, the 2025 version of Daniels showed up, the one who missed 10 games with three different injuries. He suffered a dislocated left elbow, leaving the Commanders with plenty of questions about the future -- from his durability to whether they had built a good enough roster to withstand his absence for even a short period.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Daniels will visit specialists Tuesday and Wednesday to determine the best course of action. It's the same injury Daniels sustained in Week 9 last season; he returned in Week 14, but after reinjuring the elbow in that contest, the Commanders shut him down for the final four games of the campaign.
His latest injury has left Washington in a familiar spot: wondering what this means for Daniels' future and trying to piece together wins. Last season, the Commanders struggled to do the latter and finished 5-12. Washington is 0-2 now and will face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in its home opener Sunday.
"0-2 is not where we wanted to be, that's for sure," Quinn said. "But we also are resolute that that's not where we're going to be staying."
Commanders reporter John Keim and senior fantasy writer Eric Karabell weigh in on Daniels' latest injury and what it means for him, the Commanders and their collective futures.
Is the season lost?
It's only two games. But after last season, when injuries -- notably the one to Daniels -- derailed the Commanders, it would require a leap of faith to think otherwise at this point, particularly in the NFC East. Even if Daniels had remained healthy, Washington is now 0-2 in the division. So, the road would have been tough regardless. Also, the Commanders will next face Seattle in their home opener and in the coming six weeks will play the Giants twice, the 49ers, the Rams and the Eagles.
If Daniels is out multiple weeks, that's a steep task. And this isn't about backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who will start Sunday, as much as it is about what the Commanders haven't shown in other areas.
The sad aspect for Washington is that Daniels was playing well. He was sharp and showed the dynamic ability that made him the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, and a player multiple high-profile coaches liked best in that class.
"I loved everything about the first half, how he was playing," Quinn said of Sunday's performance, as Daniels rushed for 69 yards and threw for 96 yards and a touchdown before the injury.
But Daniels also covers up a lot of flaws. Those flaws will now be magnified, and that's the concerning part. Washington's defense has allowed seven touchdowns in two games. A new system always brings growing pains, but the Commanders are faster and more talented in the front seven as compared with 2025's unit, and new coordinator Daronte Jones has a strong reputation. Defensive backs say his scheme requires a lot of preparation and knowledge; that also could lead to early issues in coverage until they have more games in the system.
On multiple plays Sunday, a cornerback could be seen communicating with a safety right before the ball was snapped. In one case, there appeared to be confusion; and in another, the corner was looking at the safety when the ball was snapped. At other times, it appeared players went to the same coverage area.
Quinn said they know what it looks like when they do it right, so after two games, "It's not good enough."
But can that overcome all the issues? The Commanders' defense struggles unless it applies pressure. They don't create turnovers. That's a bad combination. Last season, the Bears' defense ranked 24th in scoring and 29th in yards but led the NFL with 33 takeaways (23 more than Washington).
Washington has forced only 27 turnovers since the start of the 2024 campaign and hasn't taken the ball away in two games this season.
If the Commanders had a proven defense and a strong, consistent run game, then they could survive for a few weeks. But their offensive line, already down left tackle Laremy Tunsil, now has right guard Sam Cosmi -- their top remaining lineman -- in concussion protocol. Tunsil and Daniels are Washington's best offensive players. It's tough to survive those absences.
Could they develop those other aspects? Sure. But when? And will it happen quickly enough for Washington to withstand Daniels' absence? The Commanders have lost 12 of their past 14 games dating to last season, but they changed coordinators and spent heavily on defense in the offseason. If not a new team, it should be a different one. After two games, Washington ranks 27th in yards and 25th in points. The Commanders are 28th in yards per pass attempt.
After Sunday's game, one player, without prompting, expressed confidence in what the offense and the team could still do. He was encouraged by a lot of what he had seen by the offense, despite the loss. And he remained convinced it could get the season pointed in a better direction. Others share his belief. If that belief doesn't turn into a win real soon, then hope will once more lead to despair for Washington fans.
Should the Commanders have serious concerns about Daniels' viability as their QB of the present and future?
If he missed another long stretch of time, it would be hard not to have those concerns.
What they'll never have to worry about is his approach. Few work harder or study more; he continues to arrive at work by 5:30 a.m. every week. He organized film sessions with the receivers. He picks the brains of athletes in other sports -- Steph Curry, Draymond Green and LeBron James -- and has talked to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka about Kobe Bryant's mindset.
Daniels has been focused on improving and winning; he has said he doesn't care about fame and celebrity status.
However, he has now dislocated his left elbow twice in his past four games and reinjured it in another. He has finished only four games since the start of last season and left four others early. He suffered a knee injury in one game that cost him two weeks and a hamstring in another that sidelined him for one.
The question is: Can anything be done to prevent another dislocation? One source close to the situation said Daniels did not need surgery last year because there was no ligament damage. Quinn said surgery was not discussed and the questions for specialists will involve determining the best course of action, whether it be surgery to tighten the ligaments or if rest and rehab is enough. As of Monday surgery, was not an option, one source said, but that will ultimately be up to the specialists, as they need to determine why this keeps occurring.
Daniels will almost certainly have to play with a brace on when he returns -- but he wore one in Week 14 last year when he returned from his first dislocation. He reinjured the elbow as he attempted to make a tackle following an interception.
And for what it's worth, Daniels does lift weights, and he said he had added 8 to 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he might be lean but isn't considered weak. Still, it could be that strengthening his elbow is one recommendation.
He remains the quarterback of the present and the future. He is too talented and works too hard to think otherwise at this point. That said, Daniels does not have to prove he can play; he needs to prove he can be durable. That will be the primary focal point once he returns. If the Commanders finish with a poor record but Daniels plays the rest of the season -- and does so at a high level -- then any fears will diminish. They really don't want to consider the alternative at this point. -- Keim
Should Washington consider signing or trading for another QB? Or will it roll with Mariota?
There's little to discuss here: The Commanders need to roll with Mariota. It's really not even a question. If they didn't believe in him, they would have made different moves in the offseason. If they were going to invest draft picks in a trade, they'd need to get help for the secondary or the offensive line.
But there are questions behind Mariota. Rookie sixth-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis earned a roster spot by showing good traits in the preseason. He has a strong arm; he showed poise in the pocket. He was also inaccurate at times and, of course, he's never played in a game. He's now one snap away from doing so.That's a lot to ask.
Washington would be wise to add another veteran to back up Mariota. Josh Johnson is on Cincinnati's practice squad and spent all of last season with Washington, even starting two games. Jeff Driskel is also free and spent the last two games with Washington last season and remains free.
Washington has always felt good about Mariota, which is why it keeps re-signing him.
"Marcus is a complete pro and has been that way since he's been here," Washington receiver Terry McLaurin said. "He's one of the leaders we look to. In the time he and I have been together we've had success. We're going to rally around him."
Center Nick Allegretti was bullish on Mariota, who has a 2-6 record as a starter with Washington and has played in 15 games. He has thrown 15 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He's played 12 years in the NFL with 82 starts and, like Daniels, entered the NFL as a No. 2 overall pick following a Heisman-winning season.
"I truly have felt this way for three years," Allegretti said. "There's no reason he should be a backup quarterback in this league. Absolutely full confidence in him." -- Keim
How does this impact Washington players in fantasy?
Mariota started eight games in the 2025 season and won twice (same as Daniels), but he played competently enough and the team's skill players did not see a large decrease in productivity. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was struggling before Daniels left the lineup last season, but Deebo Samuel Sr. played capably.
The value for McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and others hardly rises, but Mariota is better than most backups. He threw for more than 200 yards six times, and he ran for 40 or more yards four times. This is no offensive power team, regardless of who starts at quarterback. Downgrade this unit with Daniels missing, but don't completely fade it. -- Karabell
