The Washington Commanders hoped star quarterback Jayden Daniels would return this season after he re-aggravated his elbow harm in Week 14, however they since shifted course. Washington will shut down the reigning Offensive Rookie of the 12 months, and permit Marcus Mariota to complete out the season at quarterback, in accordance with CBS Sports activities NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Washington’s medical workers re-evaluated Daniels immediately, however he didn’t obtain clearance to return, NFL Media experiences. If he was not cleared for the Week 16 matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles, Daniels’ subsequent alternative to play would have come on a brief week towards the Dallas Cowboys. In the end, the Commanders simply shut him down.
Lower than one month in the past, Commanders coach Dan Quinn mentioned he needed Daniels to play when wholesome to be able to develop — regardless of if Washington was in playoff competition or not.
“I believe it is vital as Jayden’s … studying to play this place on the highest degree competitively, additionally doing it safely, and people are reps, you realize, that you simply develop as nicely,” Quinn mentioned.. “It is a ability, similar to throwing and processing. And so, all these issues are vital.”
The 4-10 Commanders haven’t had their beginning quarterback for half of the season. Daniels suffered by way of knee and hamstring accidents earlier than dislocating his left elbow in the course of the Week 9 loss towards the Seattle Seahawks. He returned for the Week 14 matchup towards the Minnesota Vikings, however landed onerous on the injured elbow whereas making an attempt to chase down Andrew Van Ginkel following an interception.
The No. 2 total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft took the league by storm as a rookie, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and added 891 yards and 6 touchdowns as a rusher. Washington went from 4-13 to 12-5, and made all of it the way in which to the NFC Championship recreation. Daniels’ 37 whole touchdowns and 5,416 whole yards (together with playoffs), have been essentially the most by a rookie in NFL historical past. This season, Daniels misplaced 5 of his seven begins, and threw for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
The 2025 season was an abject catastrophe for Washington. Daniels missed greater than half of the marketing campaign as a consequence of harm. Star wideout Terry McLaurin, who signed a three-year, $96 million cope with the Commanders after a training-camp holdout, missed half of the season as a consequence of a quad harm, whereas the protection suffered notable accidents as nicely. Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, Dorance Armstrong and Deatrich Sensible Jr. all reside on injured reserve, which left Washington with what’s statistically the second-worst protection within the NFL. Maybe regression from 2024 was anticipated, however to not this extent.
