Jayden Daniels Injury Update, Commanders Decide QB's Status for Rest of NFL Season

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been shut down for the remainder of the year, according to head coach Dan Quinn.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news.

Daniels reportedly was re-evaluated on Monday and not medically cleared. The Commanders made the final decision since he was ruled out for the team's game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, and there will be a quick turnaround for the Christmas Day game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Daniels was ruled out for a Week 15 matchup with the New York Giants after re-aggravating an existing left elbow injury the weekend prior.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels had not suffered any "structural setbacks," but that doctors had still advised the quarterback sit out the game.

Daniels exited the Commanders' Week 14 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings after apparently jarring his left elbow following a block by Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers in the third quarter.

Daniels had been playing in his first game back since dislocating that left elbow in a Week 9 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

When asked if Daniels would be out for the rest of the season following the re-injury, Quinn said the Commanders planned to "see where we're at" ahead of Week 16.

In addition to the four games missed due to elbow issues, Daniels missed two games with a left knee sprain and one with a hamstring injury earlier this season.

When available, the dual-threat quarterback has seen both his passing accuracy and rushing yards per game drop from his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024.

After making it as far as the NFC Championship Game behind Daniels' stellar rookie season last winter, the Commanders were eliminated from playoff contention following the Week 14 loss to the Vikings.

Getting Daniels fully healthy in time for next season might be the Commanders' biggest priority as the team looks to regroup from what has been a disappointing 2025 campaign. Marcus Mariota is set to continue starting down the stretch as Washington closes out the year.