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Washington Commanders fans saw their franchise quarterback go down with an agonizing injury again earlier this week when Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in gruesome fashion.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been an uncommon sight for Commanders fans as they’ve seen similar injuries to the likes of Joe Theismann, Robert Griffin III and Alex Smith.
This will be the third separate time this season that Daniels has missed time, with the other two stints coming from hamstring injuries. However, with Daniels’ injuries, the Commanders’ season has been derailed after an NFC Championship Game appearance in Daniels’ rookie season.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball defended by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) during the second half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
Despite the season being nearly over, Theismann said the Chiefs should only allow Daniels back on the field if he is “medically cleared 100% that he would not risk further damage to any of the injuries that he has had.”
“I think being able to come back and play at some point would be beneficial for him to continue to grow. You have to remember he’s only in his sophomore year and hasn’t played much in his sophomore year. And the only real way you learn to play this game is to be out on the field because you have to handle situations, you have to anticipate coverages, you have to protect yourself,” Theismann said in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is helped off the field after injuring his arm in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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The “protect yourself” part might actually be the most important aspect, especially for a running quarterback like Daniels.
“This is the one thing I tell all young quarterbacks when I get a chance to be around them: Don’t count on the rules to protect you. Protect yourself, run out of bounds, slide, throw the ball away. Always think about the next opportunity, the next play, because it doesn’t do you any good to try to take a shot or try to get special things when you’re hurt,” the man said.
“Same thing with Jaxson Dart — part of his game is running. Okay, fine. Anthony Richardson, his game was running. You’re not going to run over these guys, and here’s the thing — here’s what I can see. What people don’t understand is that as a wide receiver, you can protect yourself a little bit more. As a running quarterback, when you get hit, you’re not used to it’s not used to getting used to. everyday occurrence for you as a quarterback. You’re in a bunch of people when you get out in the open you get tackled your head hits the ground – that’s where the concussions occur when their bottom hits the ground you’re suddenly open. Hopefully he’ll be wiser after this. You don’t have to show that you can run and times and ways not to run.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Chiefs did not place Daniels on injured reserve, a sign that he could return to the field sooner rather than later.
