Story perspectives

Jayden Daniels carted off with left elbow injury

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jayden Daniels Carted Off

Jayden Daniels (Commanders quarterback) was carted off with a left elbow injury during the game against Dallas.
The injury occurred on the final first-half play after guard Chris Paul stepped on Daniels' foot.
He completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 69 yards.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota entered, having dislocated the same elbow in 2025 and missing eight games.

Summary

Daniels Surgery Outlook

Sports doctor David Chao said Daniels may need surgery to stabilize his left elbow ligaments.
The Commanders have not announced whether they will pursue surgical repair.
If surgery is chosen, recovery could extend beyond the remainder of the 2026 season.
Repeated elbow injuries raise concerns about the long-term durability of the 2024 No. 2 overall pick.
Daniels said his focus is supporting teammates while he recovers from injury.

History

Historical Context

In 2011, the NFL’s New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning suffered a left elbow sprain that sidelined him for six games. The injury forced the Giants to rely on backup Aaron Rodgers, who completed 78 passes for 842 yards, delivering a 3-0 win over Dallas Cowboys. Similarly, Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels was carted off after Dallas guard Chris Paul stepped on his foot, echoing Manning’s elbow setback. These elbow injuries have driven the NFL to prioritize early surgical evaluation, as doctors like David Chao estimate up to 30% longer recovery for quarterbacks.

1 of 3

Jayden Daniels Carted Off

Jayden Daniels (Commanders quarterback) was carted off with a left elbow injury during the game against Dallas.
The injury occurred on the final first-half play after guard Chris Paul stepped on Daniels' foot.
He completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 69 yards.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota entered, having dislocated the same elbow in 2025 and missing eight games.

1 / 3