ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won't undergo surgery on his dislocated left elbow and, as of now, he won't be placed on injured reserve according to general manager Adam Peters.
Daniels spent the past three days visiting specialists who examined his elbow. Throughout the process, one source close to the situation said surgery was a last option. Peters confirmed that prognosis while appearing on his weekly paid radio appearance on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.
"As of right now surgery is not on the table and we have not discussed IR," Peters told The Junkies.
If that holds true, then Daniels would return within four weeks; a stint on injured reserve would require him to miss four games. In the next three weeks Washington plays Seattle, Indianapolis and the Giants.
Because it was a second dislocation, Daniels could have faced surgery, whether just to repair or a reconstruction. Both would have sidelined him for the season, according to medical experts. Instead, Daniels will focus on rehab and strengthening the elbow and will wear a brace.
But Daniels has been told by doctors there's no guarantee the elbow won't dislocate again, a source said. But they've been encouraged by the condition it's in, even after a second occurrence.
Daniels suffered his second dislocation of his left -- and nonthrowing -- elbow on the final play of the first half in Sunday's 37-20 loss at Dallas. He dislocated the same elbow in Week 9 last season and reaggravated it when he returned in Week 14, falling on his left side after being pushed to the ground.
Daniels underwent X-rays after the game, revealing no fracture and he underwent an MRI on Monday. Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels, beginning with Sunday's matchup vs. Seattle (2-0). The Commanders are 0-2 and have lost 12 of their past 14 games dating to last season.
After starring in 2024, earning NFL offensive rookie of the year honors and leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game, it's been a frustrating two seasons for Daniels. He missed 10 games last year -- two for a sprained knee and one for a hamstring in addition to the elbow.
Daniels did not miss a start in 2024, including all three postseason games. As a rookie, he threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions while running for another 891 and six scores. He performed the way Washington had hoped after drafting him second overall, coming off a Heisman Trophy season at LSU.
In six quarters this season, Daniels threw for 260 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran 12 times for another 100 yards. His dynamic ability was on display vs. Dallas in the first half, throwing for 96 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 69.
On the play he was injured, a third-and-goal from the 1-yard line with three seconds left in the half, Daniels' left foot was stepped on by left guard Chris Paul as the quarterback took the snap from under center. Daniels tried to steady himself with his left hand as he was falling back. His left arm buckled inward.
He first injured that elbow in Week 9 vs. Seattle last season.
But Daniels did not undergo surgery after the injury, which was considered a "simple dislocation" because there was no bone fracture.
Dr. Marc Kowalsky, who is with the Orthopaedic and Neuroloy specialists in Connecticut and specializes in shoulder and elbow injuries, said they don't like to perform surgery on a first dislocation because there's only a "1-2%" chance of recurrence.
"Even in elbow dislocations with severe ligament injury, we usually begin with conservative management because it's usually effective," said Kowalsy, who is a past president of American Clinical and Elbow Surgeons and has been published in medical journals.
Kowalsky -- who did not examine Daniels and was speaking generally about such injuries -- said without surgery the incidence of another dislocation increases.
He said if the imaging showed Daniels' elbow was in "decent condition it would not be unreasonable to put him in a brace and try to maintain stability that way to allow him to get through the season ...[the brace] does carry benefit. It would provide some mitigation of risk, but he still would be at risk to some degree."
The fear, Kowalsky said, is that another dislocation could damage the bone. X-rays after both dislocations revealed no bone fracture.
"Every time the elbow dislocates, there's a risk of injury to the bones that are the primary stabilizers," he said. "That does meaningfully change his prognosis and ultimate outcome."
