Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to start against the New York Giants in Week 5, ending a two-game absence due to a dislocated left elbow. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the plan, noting that backup Marcus Mariota is unavailable due to a sprained MCL. Daniels, who has been practicing with a brace, is projected to return despite concerns about re-injury, as the team seeks to stabilize its 1-3 record.
Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain during the first quarter of a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday. The injury forced rookie Athan Kaliakmanis to enter the game, marking the third different quarterback to start for Washington this season. While Mariota is undergoing testing to confirm the severity of the knee injury, the team remains hopeful that starter Jayden Daniels will return for Week 5 against the New York Giants despite his ongoing elbow issues.
The Washington Commanders lost 30-13 to the Indianapolis Colts in London on October 4, 2026, after a severe quarterback crisis forced rookie Athan Kaliakmanis to play the majority of the game. Starter Jayden Daniels was out with a dislocated elbow, and backup Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. The defeat leaves Washington at 1-3 and facing uncertainty for their next game against the New York Giants.
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn ruled out quarterback Jayden Daniels for Sunday's Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts in London. Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow in Week 2, practiced with a brace this week but was deemed not ready to play. Backup Marcus Mariota will start his second consecutive game. Quinn indicated Daniels could return in Week 5 if he participates fully next week. The Commanders also confirmed linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo will play after missing the last two games.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to travel to London and practice this week following a second left-elbow dislocation, though he is unlikely to play in Week 4. While the team has ruled out immediate surgery and injured reserve placement, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Daniels will likely need surgery after the season. Backup Marcus Mariota has started in his absence, leading the team to a win over the Seattle Seahawks.
The Washington Commanders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33-31 in Week 3, securing their first win of the season despite missing star quarterback Jayden Daniels. Backup Marcus Mariota threw three touchdowns, and the defense forced three turnovers, including a pick-six, to overcome a 177-yard deficit in total yardage. While the victory snapped Seattle's 12-game winning streak, analysts remain divided on whether this result signals a genuine turnaround or a fluke, with power rankings averaging a 23.1 rank for Washington.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota led the Washington Commanders to a 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, ending Seattle's 12-game winning streak and giving Washington its first win of the 2026 season. Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, while the Commanders' defense forced three crucial turnovers. The win provides a temporary confidence boost for Washington, which is 1-2 after losing its starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, to a recurring elbow injury.
A wave of severe injuries to starting quarterbacks in the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season has forced a re-evaluation of team depth and long-term strategy. New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the season with a torn meniscus, while Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered his second dislocated elbow in two years. These setbacks have prompted a re-ranking of all 32 teams' quarterback rooms, with the Giants and Commanders dropping to the bottom of the list due to reliance on aging backups Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, respectively. The injuries have sparked debate among agents and scouts about the necessity of maintaining three viable quarterbacks per team to mitigate the inherent risks of the position.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to return in three weeks or sooner after dislocating his left elbow for the second time in 10 months. He will not undergo surgery or be placed on injured reserve, and backup Marcus Mariota will start until Daniels is healthy.
Legendary agent Leigh Steinberg warns NFL teams that lacking three viable quarterbacks is a critical strategic error, citing a surge in starting quarterback injuries through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Steinberg emphasizes that the position's inherent vulnerability to contact makes deep backup rosters essential for protecting season viability and league viewership. The warning follows severe setbacks for the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, whose franchise quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels, are out for extended periods or the season. While the Giants are left with only Jameis Winston as a reliable option, the Commanders are relying on Marcus Mariota. Steinberg notes that rising starting salaries and salary cap constraints make it difficult for teams to invest in quality backups, yet he argues that failing to do so jeopardizes competitive stability. The NFL has implemented protective rules since 2018, but Steinberg asserts that quarterbacks remain highly susceptible to injury due to the nature of the position, urging teams to prioritize depth despite financial pressures.
The Washington Commanders have named Marcus Mariota a team captain for the remainder of the 2026 season, a decision driven by the existing captains rather than coaching staff. This move follows Jayden Daniels’ second left elbow dislocation in ten months, which has left the team 0-2 and facing a critical matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. While Mariota will start in Daniels’ absence, the captaincy is intended to honor his leadership regardless of his playing time. The situation raises long-term questions about the franchise’s trajectory, roster construction, and the durability of its star quarterback.
Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters confirmed Friday that quarterback Jayden Daniels will not undergo surgery or be placed on injured reserve for his second left elbow dislocation in 11 months. Daniels is considered week-to-week, with backup Marcus Mariota starting the Week 3 game against Seattle. While the medical outlook is optimistic, Andscape notes that the recurring injury has intensified comparisons to Robert Griffin III, shifting the narrative from Daniels potentially succeeding Doug Williams to fears of a career cut short by injury.
Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters stated that quarterback Jayden Daniels will not undergo surgery or be placed on injured reserve for his second left-elbow dislocation. Daniels is considered week-to-week, with Marcus Mariota starting in his place.
Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters confirmed that quarterback Jayden Daniels will not undergo surgery for his dislocated left elbow. The team has not discussed placing him on injured reserve, suggesting a return is expected soon. Daniels is out for the Week 3 game against Seattle, with Marcus Mariota starting in his place.
Washington Commanders players and staff have pushed back against viral social media claims that they abandoned quarterback Jayden Daniels after he dislocated his left elbow during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Dan Quinn explained that referees forced players off the field for halftime, while teammates insisted they checked on Daniels once medical staff had space. Daniels, who suffered the same injury in 2025, has no set return timeline, and backup Marcus Mariota will start the next game against the Seattle Seahawks.