Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is not considering surgery on his left elbow and has not been placed on the injured reserve list after sustaining a dislocation during Week 2. General manager Adam Peters addressed the team’s quarterback situation on 106.7 The Fan, providing clarity on the timeline as the franchise prepares for its upcoming schedule.
“We’ve consulted doctors across the country,” Peters said during his radio appearance. “Right now, surgery is not being considered, and we haven’t discussed putting him on IR.”
Daniels suffered the injury during a loss to the Dallas Cowboys when he planted his left arm to break a fall. The ailment affects the same elbow Daniels dislocated against the Seattle Seahawks in November 2025, an issue that led to subsequent complications and prematurely ended his previous campaign. With Seattle visiting for the next matchup, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Marcus Mariota will step into the starting role.
The decision by Washington’s front office to keep Daniels off the injured reserve list suggests the organization anticipates a recovery timeline shorter than the mandatory four-game absence required for players placed on IR. Peters expressed full confidence in Mariota’s ability to command the offense during the absence, labeling him “the best backup quarterback in the league.”
Schedule Ahead and the Backup Plan
Washington faces a demanding stretch of games while Daniels works toward a return. Following Sunday’s home fixture against Seattle, the Commanders travel to London to face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 4. A home game against the New York Giants follows in Week 5, ahead of a prime-time road contest against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 and a well-timed bye week in Week 7.
Mariota takes over an offense aiming to maintain momentum in a competitive NFC. While the exact return date for Daniels remains undetermined, the team’s medical evaluations and roster management indicate a cautious, calculated approach to the second-year signal-caller’s rehabilitation.
