Jayden Daniels’ second NFL season was limited to seven starts because of injuries. Brad Rempel / Imagn Images
The Washington Commanders are shutting down quarterback Jayden Daniels for the remainder of the season and turning to backup Marcus Mariota for the final three games.
Daniels’ second NFL season was limited to seven starts because of injuries to his knee, hamstring, and, most recently, left elbow. He dislocated the elbow in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks and aggravated it in his first game back, a 31-0 shutout loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Mariota has started every game in Daniels’ absence, including the team’s 29-21 win over the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
NFL Network was the first to report the Commanders’ decision to sit Daniels.
Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters informed Daniels, as well as Mariota, of the decision Monday afternoon. It was made based on the totality of the circumstances — the team’s elimination from playoff contention and the fact that Daniels has yet to be cleared for contact and may not have been cleared in time for Saturday’s game against the Eagles.
Quinn said Daniels was disappointed with the decision, but also understood it. He also felt strongly that he didn’t want to be placed on injured reserve and not be able to practice.
The team then plays on Christmas Day in Week 17, making for another short week for Daniels to be medically cleared to play.
“It was a lot — part medical and part team,” Quinn said of factors that went into the team’s decision. “… We believe this decision allows him to take advantage of the next few weeks in a different way. He wants to practice and he will practice. He also wants to support Marcus in a way that Marcus has demonstrated and helped him.”
After a 12-5 season that ended with an NFC Championship game appearance and rookie of the year honors for Daniels, his second year with the Commanders has been a gross disappointment for the team. He is one of two dozen players — most of whom are starters or key reserves — to have missed game time because of injuries, leaving Washington’s already thin roster totally depleted. Washington’s defense has been disastrous for much of the season — missed tackles, blown coverages, big plays allowed — contributing to an eight-game slide that finally ended last Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
This story is developing and will be updated.