ASHBURN, Va. — With seven minutes and 39 seconds left and down 38-7 to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night time, the Washington Commanders’ ugly season obtained a complete lot worse: Quarterback Jayden Daniels was mendacity on the bottom, in ache, after struggling a dislocated elbow when he was sacked.
As Daniels, the franchise’s current and future hope for achievement and the participant who led Washington to its first NFC Championship Recreation look because the 1991 season, slowly left the sector together with his injured arm in a solid, the inevitable questions started: Why? What now? What extra can go incorrect?
“Intestine-wrenching,” Washington guard Sam Cosmi stated.
“Distraught,” tight finish Zach Ertz stated.
The Commanders (3-6) have been devastated by accidents and participant absences since coaching camp opened. In truth, Daniels and your complete beginning offense has not been collectively because the NFC divisional playoff win towards the Detroit Lions in January.
However Daniels and the Commanders now have the aforementioned inquiries to reply, plus a number of extra that undertaking into the long run: What does his restoration seem like? What can they do to assist him sooner or later? Why was he nonetheless within the sport? How does the damage have an effect on Washington’s offseason plans?
ESPN Commanders reporter John Keim, senior author and damage analyst Stephania Bell, senior NFL insider Dan Graziano, analytics author Seth Walder and draft analyst Jordan Reid reply all of the urgent questions surrounding Daniels’ damage.
What’s a dislocated elbow? What is the normal timetable for restoration, and are there any particular issues since he’s a QB?
Within the elbow, there are three bones that make up the joint: the arm bone (humerus) and the 2 forearm bones (radius, on the lateral or outer facet and the ulna, on the medial or inside facet). As with all joint, the bony surfaces are lined with cartilage and your complete joint is roofed by a fibrous capsule, which is strengthened by stabilizing ligaments.
A dislocation describes a joint that has exceeded its regular vary of movement such that the bones are now not of their regular place, usually creating the bodily deformity that’s so jarring to the attention. It’s also extraordinarily painful as a number of buildings might be stretched or torn because the bones sit out of alignment. The course of remedy and the restoration timeline are depending on the extent of trauma created throughout the dislocation occasion.
If the dislocation pushes a bone via the pores and skin (termed an “open dislocation”), the open wound should be addressed as shortly as potential to attempt to mitigate any danger of an infection. Assuming no open wound, the questions are whether or not or not there’s a fracture current, whether or not the joint might be satisfactorily decreased (returned to its regular place) and what’s the extent of sentimental tissue injury (most notably ligaments and capsule). If there may be an open wound, if the joint can’t be decreased (as a result of one thing is obstructing it post-dislocation) or if a significant ligament restore is required, surgical procedure turns into essential.
If there isn’t a wound, no fracture, the joint is decreased and steady and no main ligament restore is required, the remedy early on is to assist the arm in a sling or brace to permit the elbow irritation to subside and the delicate tissues to heal. Vary of movement of the wrist and hand and the shoulder can start pretty shortly afterward and because the elbow heals, that joint might be particularly addressed as properly. As is the case with most programs of bodily remedy, the purpose is progressive vary of movement and strengthening till the arm is restored to its pre-injury degree of perform.
Conservative (non-surgical) remedy usually requires roughly six to eight weeks of restoration, a timeline that’s extremely individualized relying on the athlete and his historical past together with the calls for of the game and the seasonal calendar. In surgical instances, the development relies on the specifics of the surgical procedure and the timeline could be adjusted outward accordingly.
For a quarterback, this damage could be way more regarding if it had been the throwing elbow. Just a few levels of lack of vary of movement if the elbow had been to heal a bit stiff may dramatically alter throwing mechanics. Any residual delicate instability associated to ligament trauma may additionally alter throwing mechanics and efficiency. Any related cartilage damage may end in arthritic adjustments within the joint that, even when sluggish progressing, may alter the trajectory of a thrower’s profession. Given the above, an damage that is likely to be permitted to heal by itself with relaxation, immobilization and progressive bodily remedy on a non-throwing arm is likely to be managed otherwise (i.e. surgical procedure to restore a torn ligament) in a throwing arm. — Bell
Because it’s his non-throwing arm, may Daniels return prior to anticipated?
Right here is the place it will get tough and the entire elements that make an athlete’s case distinctive to him come into play. Typically talking, sure, within the case of the non-throwing arm an athlete may doubtlessly return earlier than full therapeutic whereas carrying a protecting brace. For an damage to the throwing arm, that’s clearly not an possibility. However past the power to doubtlessly return sooner with an damage to a non-throwing arm, questions stay as as to whether the athlete can nonetheless successfully play the place in addition to what are the bigger targets for the athlete and the group, each throughout the present season and past.
Within the case of Daniels particularly, contemplate that he has already missed two video games as a result of a left knee sprain and one other sport as a result of a proper hamstring pressure. Although he recovered to the purpose of returning to play from every decrease extremity damage, it’s a dialogue level when analyzing the cumulative toll of the season. Then there may be the seasonal calendar. The ultimate week of the common season is the primary week in January and, as of now, the Commanders don’t seem like destined for post-season competitors. On the level the place Daniels is approaching a return to play healthwise, the place does the workforce stand relative to the seasonal calendar? And lastly, there isn’t a arguing that Daniels, as a quarterback, performs one of the vital important positions on the workforce, all whereas being the face of the franchise. As such, his worth at full well being is extraordinarily excessive.
Return to play selections, notably in season (and even coming into a brand new season when coming off season-ending surgical procedure) are at all times danger versus reward calculations. Whereas nothing is assured, it’s as much as all of the decision-makers, together with the athlete, to reach at one of the best choice for an optimum technique that takes the long-term under consideration. — Bell
How will the Commanders regulate to being with out Daniels?
Marcus Mariota will change Daniels, as he has already for 3 video games this season. Mariota, the No. 2 total choose in 2015, has began three video games and changed Daniels in two others. In these video games, Mariota has accomplished 56 of 88 passes for 639 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
He is extra comfy working the no-huddle at a faster tempo and has excelled at occasions within the run-pass possibility sport. Washington additionally calls extra designed runs for Mariota, whereas Daniels has been thought of extra harmful as a scrambler.
The Commanders are 1-2 in his begins and misplaced each occasions he needed to change Daniels.
However it’s exhausting for Washington to regulate given their lack of offensive weapons. Of the highest 4 receivers coming into the season, just one — Deebo Samuel — will seemingly be obtainable when Washington hosts Detroit Sunday, and the Commanders may have three receivers energetic who both opened the yr on the follow squad or had been added in-season.
In addition they cannot run the ball. Washington’s operating backs rank thirtieth within the final 4 weeks, averaging 66.8 yards per sport, and twenty fifth in yards per carry at 3.7.
Mariota had much more success taking on for Daniels in 2024. He subbed for an injured Daniels twice and led Washington to wins every time. In these video games he accomplished 33-of-41 passes for 366 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. However he was working with a a lot more healthy offense.
That is not the case this time. Till they get Terry McLaurin again from his quad damage — and that return date stays unsure – and even Noah Brown, on injured reserve till at the least subsequent week, then the offense simply lacks pop. And the protection has regressed — within the final 5 weeks Washington ranks thirty first in yards per sport and yards per play.
Punter Tress Means stated final season they realized that with Daniels they had been by no means out of a sport. However this season provides as much as one reality: It is a bleak outlook irrespective of who’s at quarterback. — Keim
Why was Daniels nonetheless within the sport?
It was a query requested a number of occasions after the sport to teach Dan Quinn. He didn’t say why he was nonetheless within the sport, however he did say he wasn’t “at that area” to take him out. Quinn stated they had been “extra conservative in that spot to run and hand off.”
The drive started with 12 minutes, 30 seconds left within the sport. Washington ran 9 performs earlier than Daniels was injured, with 4 runs and 5 passes — he was at risk of being hit one time and scrambled to his left to keep away from stress.
The hypothesis as to why he was within the sport seemingly facilities on a quarterback who has misplaced snaps this season as a result of lacking three prior video games with accidents. It might be that Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury merely wished Daniels to get extra work; Seattle additionally didn’t have lots of its starters nonetheless within the sport. Following that pondering, they seemingly wished the offense to complete on a stronger be aware in an try to construct any kind of momentum for future video games.
In Daniels’ first sport as a rookie, Washington completed with a late landing drive in a 37-20 loss. Fairly than take him out, the Commanders put him again out with 3:29 to play. They scored a landing and, in ensuing weeks, the offense soared. Within the 2024 common season finale, Quinn pulled Daniels at halftime of a sport vs. Dallas. Daniels was not efficient within the first half and Quinn stated he had “delicate leg soreness.” In addition they had clinched a playoff berth by that time and he was pressured on 37.5% of his dropbacks (fourth many of the season) and sacked 4 occasions within the first half. Washington gained the sport on a last-second Mariota landing move and Daniels flourished within the postseason.
Those that wished Daniels pulled Sunday night time can level to this:He was pressured by Seattle on a file 51% of his dropbacks — and 61% within the second half — in response to ESPN Analysis. On the fateful play, after Daniels opted to not hand the ball to operating again Chris Rodriguez Jr., a defensive finish was instantly in his face, prompting him to try to run to the suitable. He had two receivers to that facet, however by the point they broke, Daniels was in scramble mode. He didn’t outrun linebacker Drake Thomas. It led to the damage and a query that will likely be requested for a lot of months. — Keim
How regarding is his current damage historical past, and can the damage have an effect on how Washington views Daniels long run?
It is regarding as a result of he has now left two video games this season due to an damage and suffered one other one in a 3rd that sidelined him two video games. Final season he broke a rib, however he didn’t miss any video games; he additionally left the common season finale however that was with “delicate leg soreness” which didn’t influence him within the playoffs.
However this yr has been regarding as a result of two of the accidents occurred when scrambling (one was within the pocket vs. a free blitzer). His capability to make performs together with his arm or legs turned him into the No. 2 total choose in 2024. As a rookie, he rushed for 891 yards and 6 touchdowns and led the NFL with 70 scrambles for 570 yards.
Washington coach Dan Quinn did say earlier this season that “the one factor worse than lacking video games just isn’t taking the teachings from there. And as a scramble goes, when do I get down? When do I get out of bounds? And so, Jayden’s nonetheless rising too. Like we really feel like he is been enjoying for some time and so he is, as he is into his second yr there’s nonetheless issues that he is rising on too.”
However as a result of they know Daniels additionally makes huge performs together with his legs — Quinn known as him a sport changer earlier than the draft — it should not alter how they view him. — Keim
Does this have an effect on how Washington builds its workforce going ahead?
It ought to influence how they construct round him. Washington has invested in its offensive line — buying and selling a web of three draft picks for left deal with Laremy Tunsil; drafting proper deal with Josh Conerly within the first spherical; signing proper guard Sam Cosmi to an extension earlier than the 2024 season; signing heart Tyler Biadasz in free company. In addition they drafted Brandon Coleman within the third spherical in 2024, however he was benched in favor of Chris Paul after Week 2.
However they want extra playmakers round him. As soon as receiver Terry McLaurin was harm (quad), Washington misplaced any likelihood for a constant deep passing assault. The Commanders drafted Luke McCaffrey within the third spherical in 2024 and Jaylin Lane within the fourth spherical in April and traded for Deebo Samuel. Nonetheless, with out McLaurin, Washington has confronted a gentle eating regimen of man protection as a result of opposing defenses do not worry the wideouts and have targeted on stopping the run.
Washington wants extra high-end offensive ability expertise — even when McLaurin returns and notably in 2025 — to verify this does not occur extra usually sooner or later. In addition they must develop a constant dashing assault.
Merely put, the Commanders want extra offensive weapons — receivers, tight ends or backs — able to constantly beating man protection; conceivably that will power defenses into totally different appears to be like whereas additionally giving Daniels the power to eliminate the ball faster. And, due to this fact, scramble much less. — Keim
Might the Commanders add a QB earlier than the deadline, or are they comfy with Mariota and Josh Johnson?
If we study Daniels is out for a big time frame — like the remainder of the season — I may see them including a quarterback simply in order that they have greater than two. However that does not must be through a commerce, and I do not consider it is a Jake Browning/Cincinnati state of affairs the place Washington feels it wants an improve on the beginning QB spot. The Commanders have full perception in Mariota’s capability to run their offense. Gamers on that workforce have informed me on a number of events that they consider Mariota to be one of many prime 32 quarterbacks within the league and that they see themselves as having two beginning QBs with Daniels and Mariota.
So whereas, sure, the Commanders are more likely to wish to add a QB to their room if Daniels is out for a protracted whereas, I do not assume they’re going to immediately be elevating it to the highest of their pre-deadline precedence checklist. This workforce has different points, particularly on protection, that it will want to handle if it determined to be within the enterprise of buying and selling picks for gamers right here within the subsequent day and a half. — Graziano
What does FPI/remaining schedule power undertaking in regards to the Commanders’ possibilities with out Daniels?
Now we have FPI set to think about Daniels out till the ultimate 4 weeks, after which it provides him a 25% likelihood to return in each sport thereafter as a tough estimate based mostly on ESPN’s reporting. On condition that framework, the mannequin views Washington’s season as successfully over, with 6.2 whole projected wins and a 2% likelihood to make the playoffs. It is hardly a shock, after being embarrassed by the Seahawks on Sunday night time to drop its file to 3-6. Even accounting for Daniels’ missed time this season, the Commanders have disenchanted. They entered the season eyeing one other deep playoff run; as a substitute, they should be contemplating dealing gamers away earlier than Tuesday’s commerce deadline. — Walder
What in regards to the draft? The place is Washington predicted to choose, and who may it now goal in Spherical 1?
Based on ESPN FPI draft order projections, the Commanders are at the moment projected to choose at No. 8 total, and it might be even increased if issues go actually sideways. It might be a chance to handle a defensive unit that has struggled to generate stress this season, and defensive finish is atop the wants checklist in Washington. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk and Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. are two stress mills who may assist clear up the Commanders’ move rush issues immediately. Each gamers have two sacks this season however have the traits to constantly get after the QB. — Reid