Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels sustained a dislocated left elbow during the team’s Sunday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks on November 2, 2025. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of a game that ended with a 38-7 victory for the Seahawks. Daniels, who is a key player for the Commanders, was visibly in pain as his left arm bent backward unnaturally during a tackle.
The dislocation happened when Daniels scrambled to avoid defenders in the red zone. As Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas brought him down, Daniels landed awkwardly on his non-throwing arm, causing a severe elbow dislocation. He was placed in an air cast and helped off the field. The injury immediately cast a shadow over the Commanders’ future games given Daniels’ importance to the team’s offense.
X-rays performed the next day showed that Daniels did not suffer any fractures, which is a positive sign for his recovery plan. However, he was scheduled to undergo an MRI on November 3 to assess the full extent of damage to his elbow’s ligaments and soft tissues. Simple elbow dislocations without fractures generally require several weeks to heal, but injuries involving nerve or blood vessel damage could result in a longer timeline.
Head Coach Dan Quinn spoke cautiously about Daniels’ injury in a postgame press conference, confirming the quarterback’s left elbow injury but offering no further details. According to NFL Network and medical experts, the injury is expected to sideline Daniels for several games. The team will rely on backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to fill in during Daniels’ absence. Mariota has already started multiple games this season while Daniels coped with prior hamstring and knee injuries.
This latest setback for Jayden Daniels adds to a season already disrupted by injuries. Prior to this game, Daniels missed multiple games due to hamstring and knee issues but had recently returned to the lineup. His ability to lead the Commanders’ offense will be missed while he recovers.
Despite the tough loss and Daniels’ injury, there is hope the quarterback will make a full recovery and return to play this season. The MRI results will determine how long the recovery will take and whether more treatment or surgery is necessary. Simple dislocations that heal with physical therapy could see Daniels back in action in a matter of weeks, but more complicated injuries could keep him out longer.
The Washington Commanders face an uphill battle in the coming weeks both on the field and with managing injuries to key players like Jayden Daniels. The team’s fans and supporters will be watching closely for updates on his condition as he undergoes rehabilitation.