Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is scheduled to return to the field Sunday against the New York Giants, even as external medical professionals express worry about the vulnerability of his left elbow, according to reports.
Daniels missed Washington’s previous two contests after suffering a dislocated left elbow during a 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 20. The injury marked the second dislocation of his non-throwing elbow in an 11-month span, following an elbow injury that sidelined him during the 2025 season.
Specialists in Los Angeles and New York examined the 25-year-old passer and reached an overwhelming consensus that he could safely resume action while wearing a protective brace for the rest of the season, ESPN reported. However, ESPN also reported Sunday that several physicians across the league—none of whom have directly evaluated Daniels—contend that enduring two dislocations within a year places him at an elevated risk for a third dislocation. Those sources indicated to the network that some doctors view another injury as an eventual certainty rather than a mere possibility.
NBC Sports noted that both dislocations occurred when Daniels extended his left arm toward the turf to brace himself during a fall, putting severe force on the joint upon ground impact. Outside of surgical intervention, questions remain over whether external braces can prevent repeated joint displacement under direct physical impact.
Adapting to the protective brace
Despite outside skepticism, Washington officials expressed complete confidence in Daniels’ readiness. Daniels participated fully in practice sessions throughout the week leading up to Sunday’s game. Offensive coordinator David Blough told reporters on Thursday that the third-year player was a “full go” and emphasized that Daniels’ physical condition would not constrain the offensive game plan.
Blough confirmed that Daniels demonstrated full comfort executing routine quarterback duties, including taking snaps from center and executing hand-offs to running backs while wearing the brace.
Daniels also addressed the adjustment, explaining that he is working to make the support device feel natural during gameplay. “I’m going to embrace the brace,” Daniels said earlier in the week, as reported by the New York Post. “Just trying to get used to it, it’s kind of part of me now.” Daniels added that his primary goal is remaining comfortable enough on the field so that he is “not really just thinking about it” during live action.
Offensive challenges and what lies ahead
The decision to start Daniels comes as Washington navigates significant injury constraints across the depth chart. Veteran backup Marcus Mariota has been ruled out of Sunday’s divisional matchup due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, leaving rookie Athan Kaliakmanis as the sole active backup quarterback behind Daniels.
The offense must also navigate absences among pass-catchers. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was ruled out against the Giants because of a hamstring strain, while wide receiver Terry McLaurin entered the weekend designated as questionable with a hamstring issue.
Daniels won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and guided Washington to the NFC Championship Game before his 2025 campaign was truncated to seven games due to his first elbow dislocation. Washington finished that season 5-12. Through his first two appearances in 2026, Daniels completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 260 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions, while rushing 12 times for 100 yards.
The Commanders currently occupy fourth place in the NFC East with a 1-3 record. Whether Daniels’ brace will provide adequate protection when he absorbs contact or braces for a tackle remains unknown, and his long-term elbow health will likely dictate the direction of Washington’s season.
