Jayden Daniels injury update: Commanders QB set to return to practice, 'long-shot' to play in Week 13

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to suffer a season-ending elbow injury in Washington’s 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, it seems his left elbow ailment isn’t serious as originally anticipated. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided a promising update regarding the quarterback’s potential return to the lineup this coming weekend: “Commanders QB Jayden Daniels was evaluated coming out of Washington’s bye and sources say this Sunday’s game against the Broncos is a long-shot,” Rapoport posted on X.

“But Daniels will return to practice this week. Progress from his dislocated elbow.”

Alas, Week 13’s showdown with the Broncos might be too much to ask, but if everything goes according to plan, it seems as if Daniels might be able to get back on the field in Week 14 against the Vikings, or Week 15 in New York against the Giants.

Some are thinking it might not be a good idea for Daniels to play again this season though. Former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III has called for the organization to hold him out for the rest of the season.

Daniels, who has already missed a bevy of games this season, wasn’t placed on the Injured Reserve after it was revealed that there was no ligament damage to his elbow. This means that there is certainly a path for him to return to game action this season, but with the Commanders sitting at 3-8, Griffin III doesn’t want to see Daniels go down the same route he went down.

“I haven’t spoken too much on my time in depth in DC,” Griffin III said on the latest ‘Outta Pocket with RGIII‘ podcast. “I even scrapped a book, because I didn’t feel like it was the right time to have that conversation. Eventually, there will be a time to have that convo.

“But just know, my situation in DC and Jayden’s, outside of the surface level black quarterback, second pick, Heisman Trophy winner, hurt on the same yard-line on the same field against the same team, it’s not the same. Trust me, it’s wild. It’s like the twilight zone. Some voodoo stuff.”

Griffin III states Washington being out of playoff contention as reason to sit Daniels

“But it’s not the same (as his situation),” Griffin III continued. “It’s because of the organization. I tip my hat to (Commanders owner) Josh Harris and this team, but I think they should sit him out. I think they should sit Jayden Daniels out for the rest of the season. 

“I know they’re going to re-evaluate him after the bye-week, but if this team isn’t playing for a playoff spot or anything substantial, they should hold him out for the rest of the year.”

Regardless, the similarities between the two players are definitely there, as they both won the Heisman Trophy, were selected by Washington with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and suffered significant injuries in Northwest (formerly FedEx) Stadium against the Seahawks.

After dealing with injury problems all season long, Griffin III suffered devastating injuries to his LCL and ACL in the 2013 Wild Card Game. He was never quite the same player after that, failing to play in at least 10 games in six of his final seven seasons.

Across six games this season, Daniels has passed for 1,184 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. If it’s up to RGIII, those six games will be all for the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Time will tell what Washington decides in the end.

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this article.