The Commanders are rolling into Week 3 sporting an ugly 0-2 record, and guess who they’re facing? None other than our own reigning Super Bowl-champion Seahawks. Talk about a tough draw! They just got some “good news” though: quarterback Jayden Daniels, who just dislocated his left elbow, is expected to be back on the field within three weeks, maybe even sooner. Wild, right?
Déjà Vu All Over Again for Daniels, And Guess Who Was Involved Last Time?!
Seriously, this is getting ridiculous. Daniels’ latest dislocation happened in Week 2 against the Cowboys when his foot got stepped on by left guard Chris Paul. His arm bent awkwardly as he tried to break his fall. Sounds brutal, and it is! But here’s the kicker, 12s: this isn’t his first rodeo with that left elbow. Nope, this is his *second* dislocation. And get this: the first one happened in Week 9 last year, against none other than our beloved Seahawks! You can’t make this stuff up.
The Commanders aren’t putting him on IR, which is good for them because that would guarantee a four-game absence. And he’s not even getting surgery! Instead, they’re turning to Marcus Mariota to face our Emerald City squad this Sunday. Mariota has actually seen some extended action, making 11 appearances and eight starts last year filling in for Daniels. So, they’ve got some experience there, but it’s still a backup QB against the champs.
A Risky Return for Him, A Clear Opportunity for Our D
When Daniels does make his return, he’ll be rocking a brace on that left elbow, just like he did last year. Now, a brace can give you some structural support, sure, but it’s no magic bullet for guaranteeing health. Remember what happened last year? Daniels came back, fell hard on that same elbow in his very first game back, and re-aggravated the injury. While he didn’t suffer any *further* structural damage, that hard fall was his final play of the season. Ouch!
Let’s talk about his history: His rookie year was absolutely marvelous, leading Washington to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship game appearance. But last year? Total mess. They went 5-12, and Daniels was battling knee, hamstring, and yes, elbow injuries. He only played in seven games total and managed to complete just four of those contests. This season started slow in Week 1 against the Eagles, though he did rally for a strong fourth quarter in their 24-22 loss. Then, against the Cowboys, he was off to a strong start with 96 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 69 rushing yards in the first half before the injury struck. The Commanders’ upcoming schedule after us? Week 4: vs. Colts (London), Week 5: vs. Giants, Week 6: at 49ers on “Monday Night Football.” A tough stretch, no doubt.
So, Mariota’s getting the start first, which means our defense needs to be locked in, regardless. But if Daniels tries to come back in those next couple of weeks, with that brace and that history, you know our D-line and secondary are going to be sniffing out every chance they get. This Sunday, the Commanders roll into Lumen Field looking for their first win against the reigning Super Bowl champs. We’ve seen Daniels’ elbow buckle before. Let’s make sure it’s another long day for him or Mariota!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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