Commanders' Jayden Daniels expected back within three weeks, per report — SkimNews
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- Jayden Daniels is expected to return within three weeks from a dislocated left elbow suffered in Week 2 against the Cowboys, with the Commanders choosing against surgery or an injured reserve stint (which would have guaranteed a four-game absence), per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- The injury occurred when Daniels' foot was stepped on by left guard Chris Paul, bending his arm awkwardly as he braced his fall — his second left elbow dislocation, after the same injury in Week 9 last year against the Seahawks.
- Marcus Mariota draws the Week 3 start against Seattle, having gone 11-for-11 in appearances (eight starts) filling in for Daniels last season.
- When Daniels returns, he'll wear a brace on his left elbow — the same setup from last year, when a hard fall on the elbow in his first game back re-aggravated the injury and ended his season despite no further structural damage.
- The Commanders went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship in Daniels' rookie year but slumped to 5-12 last season as he appeared in just seven games (completing only four) due to knee, hamstring, and elbow injuries.
Why it matters: Washington's season hinges on keeping Daniels available. Avoiding IR (which would have meant a guaranteed four-game absence) keeps the damage at potentially three games, and Mariota — who made 11 appearances last year as Daniels' fill-in — provides proven cover. But the brace failed to protect him last time: a hard fall ended his season even without structural damage.
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