The latest Jayden Daniels injury has become the biggest storyline surrounding the Washington Commanders after their 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow on the final play of the first half and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
What happened to Jayden Daniels?
Daniels was injured with three seconds remaining in the first half of the Commanders vs. Cowboys matchup. Washington was attempting to score from the Dallas 1-yard line when Daniels stumbled after taking the snap and tried to brace his fall with his left arm.
He remained on the field in pain before being helped off and eventually carted to the locker room. The Jayden Daniels elbow injury was later confirmed as a dislocation. Initial X-rays did not show a fracture, but additional imaging was scheduled to determine the full extent of the damage.
So, if you’re asking did Jayden Daniels get hurt, the answer is yes. He sustained a significant Jayden Daniels arm injury and did not return against the Cowboys.
Jayden Daniels injury update
The latest confirmed Jayden Daniels injury update is that his left elbow is dislocated, but there was no fracture detected on the initial X-rays. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels would undergo further testing.
Quinn also indicated that Washington would rally around veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota while Daniels is unavailable. The precise recovery timeline remains dependent on the additional examination and whether there is ligament damage.
That means there is not yet a definitive answer to how long will Jayden Daniels be out. Reports indicate he is expected to miss time, but the Commanders need the additional imaging before announcing a specific timetable.
Jayden Daniels stats before injury
Despite the injury, Daniels had been producing both through the air and on the ground before leaving the Commanders game.
His numbers at the time of the injury were:
- Passing: 11-of-17
- Passing yards: 96
- Passing touchdowns: 1
- Rushing attempts: 7
- Rushing yards: 69
Those Jayden Daniels stats highlight how much Washington lost when its starting quarterback left the game.
Marcus Mariota becomes the Commanders backup QB
With Daniels ruled out, Marcus Mariota quarterback duties took over for Washington in the second half. Quinn said Mariota would remain under center for as long as Daniels is unavailable.
Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown after replacing Daniels, according to Reuters.
That makes Mariota the immediate answer at the Commanders backup QB position while Washington waits for more information about Daniels.
The situation also puts renewed attention on the Commanders QB depth chart and Washington Commanders depth chart, particularly if Daniels has to miss multiple games.
Daniels has a history with the same elbow
This isn’t the first time Daniels has dealt with a Jayden Daniels elbow problem.
He previously dislocated the same left elbow during the 2025 season against the Seattle Seahawks. That injury caused him to miss several weeks, and he appeared in only one other game that season.
The recurrence makes the current Jayden Daniels elbow injury especially important for Washington’s plans. Further testing should provide more information about the severity and potential return timeline.
Dan Quinn responds to Daniels injury
Dan Quinn expressed disappointment after watching his starting quarterback go down. The Commanders coach said the initial X-rays showed no fracture and emphasized that the team would support Daniels during his recovery.
Quinn also stood by Washington’s decision to attempt a touchdown before halftime rather than settle for another option, despite the injury occurring on that play.
Cowboys vs. Commanders result
The injury overshadowed a convincing victory for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20, improving to 1-1 while Washington dropped to 0-2. Dak Prescott threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns, while CeeDee Lamb recorded 153 receiving yards.
For the Commanders, however, the primary concern is now their starting quarterback and how the injury affects the remainder of their Commanders schedule.
What happens next for Jayden Daniels?
For now, the Commanders are waiting for the results of additional imaging. The initial absence is confirmed, but the team has not established an exact return date.
The key questions surrounding the Jayden Daniels injury today are whether there is ligament damage, whether surgery will be required, and how quickly Daniels can safely return.
Until those evaluations are complete, there is no reliable timetable for how long Jayden Daniels will be out.
The Commanders are expected to rely on Marcus Mariota in the meantime. The team’s quarterback depth chart could therefore become a major storyline heading into its next game.
Other details from the injury
The injury also drew attention during the Fox broadcast, where Tom Brady reacted strongly after seeing the replay. Brady’s reaction quickly became part of the conversation surrounding the incident.
The terms Redskins, Jaden Daniels, Jayden Daniel and other variations may also appear in searches for the quarterback, but the player’s name is Jayden Daniels, and he is the starting quarterback of the Washington Commanders.
Bottom line
Jayden Daniels is hurt. He suffered a dislocated left elbow during the Commanders’ loss to the Cowboys. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but additional imaging is needed to determine the severity, recovery timeline and whether further treatment will be necessary. Marcus Mariota is the Commanders’ immediate replacement while Daniels recovers.
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