Reports: No IR, surgery for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

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Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed quarterback Jayden Daniels has no ligament damage in his right elbow and won’t need surgery or a stint on injured reserve.

An MRI revealed that Daniels does not have damage in the dislocated elbow on his throwing arm, and it’s possible he would be ready to return following the Commanders’ bye in Week 12.

Quinn said there are no plans to evaluate Daniels’ progress for next week, meaning his return date is ahead of the the primetime matchup with the Denver Broncos (8-2) on Nov. 30.

“I hope to give you guys an update after the bye week about where he is and where we go from there,” Quinn said Friday.

Daniels was injured trying to elude Seattle Seahawks defenders last Sunday night in a game that was well out of reach for the Commanders, who trailed 38-7 in the fourth quarter when the second-year quarterback went down. It was Washington’s fourth consecutive loss and third in a row by more than 20 points.

An IR stint would have required Daniels miss four games. He is out Sunday when Washington (3-6) hosts the Detroit Lions (5-3), the fourth start he’s missed this season.

Quinn confirmed earlier in the week that Daniels was sore and would be sidelined multiple weeks.

Quinn said after the game he was “gutted” by the injury but never considered taking Daniels out of the game despite the lopsided score. A day later, Quinn fell on the sword for lacking the foresight to remove the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Marcus Mariota will start for the fourth time this season on Sunday with Daniels out.

He is 56-of-88 passing for 639 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions this season.

–Field Level Media