Commanders shut down Daniels for remainder of season

Jayden Daniels’ season is over. 

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn announced Monday that the second-year quarterback will not play again this year after reaggravating his left elbow injury in the Dec. 7 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The decision was partially related to his health — Daniels has not been medically cleared to play. His development as a signal-caller was also a contributing factor, according to Quinn.

“We all know the best way to grow is during games. But with that, he’s going to grow from this vantage point, too,” Washington’s coach said. “This is the best plan for him and for the team right now.”

Daniels will continue to practice between games through the conclusion of the season. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year played just seven games in his second NFL season. 

He will be the first quarterback in league history to win the award and play fewer than 10 games in his next season.

“Disappointed, but [he] understood as well,” Quinn said of Daniels’ reaction to the news on Monday afternoon. “This guy’s a competitor. That’s what always stands out about him.”

Quinn said his quarterback lobbied against landing on injured reserve so he could continue to work with his teammates in practice.

“That was important to him, to show that support,” the coach said. “That told us a lot. It would’ve been easy to say, ‘Whatever.’ That’s not how he is at all.”

In seven starts, Daniels threw for 1,262 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. He added 278 yards and two scores as a runner.

But injuries have derailed the once-promising sophomore season for Washington’s dual-threat passer. He suffered or reaggravated injuries in four of his seven starts.

A knee sprain in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers forced Daniels to miss two starts and return with a knee brace. A hamstring strain caused him to miss the end of the Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys and the following week. On Nov. 2, he dislocated his left elbow against the Seattle Seahawks. He returned against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 7, only to reaggravate the injury midway through the game.

Washington’s medical staff has not cleared Daniels for contact, but he could have potentially returned before the end of the season. Team officials have said that while the former first-round pick hurt his elbow against Minnesota, he did not suffer any structural damage to the joint.

Quinn, through discussions with general manager Adam Peters and team owner Josh Harris, decided to keep the quarterback on the sideline.

“We’re always going to make the best decisions for the team and the player. But it doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of this time,” Quinn said. “I hope when you talk to him a year from now, [he says], ‘Man, that gave me a different vantage point.’ I want him to gain something from this time.”

Daniels and the Commanders entered the season with eyes on another postseason appearance after an unlikely run to the NFC championship game last season. The franchise added left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the offseason to boost an already efficient offense.

But rampant injuries derailed the campaign. Daniels couldn’t stay on the field. Terry McLaurin, his top pass-catcher, missed most of the year with a nagging quad injury. Other key contributors — like running back Austin Ekeler, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, defensive end Deatrich Wise and tight end Zach Ertz — also suffered season-ending injuries.

“Man plans and God laughs,” Quinn said Monday. “Injuries take place. Go with a good plan and then you find a way to adjust it.”

Veteran Marcus Mariota will start the remainder of the season for the 4-10 Commanders. In 10 appearances this year, the former first-round pick has tossed 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions and 1,600 yards.

The Commanders host the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday before a Christmas Day matchup at home against the rival Cowboys.