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Commanders keep Jayden Daniels off IR after skipping surgery

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 2:46 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jayden Daniels Skips Surgery

The Washington Commanders announced quarterback Jayden Daniels will forgo surgery and remain off injured reserve.
General manager Adam Peters said surgery is off the table and injured reserve has not been discussed.
Coach Dan Quinn called the decision great news and listed Daniels as a week-to-week player.
Marcus Mariota will start Week 3 against Seattle while Daniels practices with a left-elbow brace.

Summary

Daniels Delays Surgery

Daniels decides to skip elbow surgery to stay eligible for a contract extension after the 2026 season.
Avoiding the operation prevents a season-ending layoff, letting him showcase value for a potential new deal.
Medical experts say elbow surgery would sideline Daniels for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
The Commanders plan to shift offensive play-calling toward quick pocket releases after his return.

Summary

Quinn Adds Mariota

Captains asked coach Dan Quinn to add Marcus Mariota as a sixth captain for the season.
The request was discussed during a team huddle earlier in the week.
Coach Quinn expressed great confidence in Mariota’s ability to lead the offense.
Players felt relief after hearing the non-surgical plan for Daniels, lifting locker-room mood.
The team expects Daniels could return within a month, with Quinn determining his rehab practice repetitions.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement, ratified on August 5 2011 after a 161-day lockout, set a $120.375 million salary cap, added health-safety limits and kept franchise-tag rights, giving players a larger revenue share (?48%). Those provisions let teams tie contract extensions to injury status, a factor in Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ 2026 decision to forego elbow surgery.

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Jayden Daniels Skips Surgery

The Washington Commanders announced quarterback Jayden Daniels will forgo surgery and remain off injured reserve.
General manager Adam Peters said surgery is off the table and injured reserve has not been discussed.
Coach Dan Quinn called the decision great news and listed Daniels as a week-to-week player.
Marcus Mariota will start Week 3 against Seattle while Daniels practices with a left-elbow brace.

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