The Washington Commanders have received positive news regarding Jayden Daniels' elbow injury.
The second-year quarterback has no ligament damage on his dislocated left elbow and won't require surgery, an MRI revealed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources informed of the situation.
Rapoport adds that the Commanders won't immediately place Daniels on injured reserve and the QB will be re-evaluated during the club's bye in Week 12.
Daniels sought multiple opinions and the result was as positive as it could be, per Rapoport. While multiple factors are at play and Daniels remains out indefinitely, a return this season remains a possibility.
The elbow is the latest injury for Daniels in a season beset by health issues. He previously missed time with a knee sprain (two games) and a hamstring injury (one game).
Daniels went down in the fourth quarter of the club's Week 9 blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After getting his arm awkwardly twisted on a tackle, it looked like a gruesome injury that could jeopardize the rest of his 2025 season. Daniels' arm was immediately put in a stabilizing air cast after which he walked gingerly off the gridiron and was quickly ruled out.
Friday's news gives the Commanders hope that Daniels might not miss the mandated four games that would come with placement on IR. He's expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions and Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid. With a bye week to follow, Dan Quinn's club can see where the young QB is at. If placed on IR, he'd be out until Week 15, at the earliest.
Marcus Mariota will take over under center until Daniels is healthy enough to return.
In a season that has not gone to plan for the 3-6 Commanders, who have dropped four straight, Thursday's news is a bright spot. However, it's possible the team will be out of realistic contention by the time Daniels is cleared to return. The club's record coming out of its bye should be another factor in when the QB returns to action.
