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Jayden Daniels is out once again.
The Washington Commanders quarterback is expected to miss at least a week after dislocating his left elbow against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, head coach Dan Quinn said.
The exact timeline of Daniels’ return is still unknown. Daniels had imaging done Monday and will see specialists on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine next steps.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota will start against the Seahawks. Quinn deferred to the doctors on whether Daniels will need surgery and will know more later in the week.
This is the third time Washington’s young quarterback injured his left elbow. The first injury occurred against the Seattle Seahawks last year in Week 9, when he dislocated his elbow after being tackled.
Daniels missed several weeks, then tried to return against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. He aggravated the injury less than two quarters into the game when he was hit on a block during an interception return. Washington shut him down for the season.
The Commanders spent the entire offseason installing a new offense, trying to insulate him from the hits.
But a fluke play in Dallas, where Daniels tripped on his own lineman’s foot, caused Daniels to fall awkwardly. When he braced his fall with his left arm, his elbow popped out of place again. He was never hit.
Daniels underwent X-rays in Dallas, revealing no fracture.
In theory, surgery would provide more stability. It would strengthen the elbow, making it less likely he would dislocate it again. Without surgery, it is easier to re-injure because the ligaments around the elbow weaken after each dislocation, according to Stanford Health.
Daniels did not elected for surgery last year. Quinn said it was never discussed.
If Daniels does return after a few weeks, he will likely need to play with an arm brace. When he returned in Minnesota last year, Daniels played with a brace but still re-injured the elbow.



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