When Could Jayden Daniels Return from Injury? NFL Insider Updates Timeline

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won't be placed on IR, but there are reportedly a wide range of outcomes for when he could return to the field.

Appearing on SportsCenter on Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the Commanders are "really playing this one by ear."

"So, this is actually, it's pretty complicated, 'cause I'm told that Jayden Daniels could potentially be back after three weeks on that elbow issue," Fowler said. "Not gonna need surgery. They're not putting him on injured reserve right now, but talking to the team, people with the player, this could turn into a five-to-six week thing real fast, depending on when they revisit this around the bye week, in two-and-a-a-half, three weeks. 

"If they're sitting at 3-8, that could certainly be a factor here. …And so, they're really playing this one by ear."

Daniels suffered the left elbow dislocation on Nov. 2 during a Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The injury took place when Daniels' arm bent back on a sack midway through the fourth quarter.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that Daniels had not suffered ligament damage, and that the injury would not require surgery.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the same day that Daniels did not need surgery and would not be placed on IR.

The Commanders already spent part of the first half of the season without their star quarterback, who was sidelined for two games due to a sprained left knee and missed another contest due to a right hamstring injury.

Those injuries have derailed what has so far been a disappointing second NFL season for Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year who led the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game last winter.

The Commanders are not on trajectory for a similarly deep playoff run in 2025 after a 3-6 start to the 2025 campaign.

Daniels has seen his completion percentage (62.5 percent) and yards per attempt (7.0) dip through the six games he has been available so far this season.

The 24-year-old had still passed for 1,184 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, adding 262 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, prior to his latest injury.

Quinn will hope Daniels is able to fully recover in order to help his team turn things around down the stretch. The Commanders will meanwhile continue turning to Marcus Mariota until Daniels can return.