Jayden Daniels injury update: Commanders reveal QB's status vs. Giants

Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels was ruled out for their game against the New York Giants this weekend, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He suffered another left elbow injury against the Minnesota Vikings.

Daniels was making his return from a dislocated left elbow. He sustained the injury in early November against the Seattle Seahawks. Daniels practiced in full last week, clearing the way for him to return.

Daniels, wearing a sleeve on his left arm, injured that same arm after throwing an interception to Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. As Van Ginkel was running back the other way, Daniels got blocked to the ground by a Minnesota defender. He landed directly on his left elbow and was in immediate pain. Daniels went into the blue medical tent for evaluation. He came out and sat on the bench as Marcus Mariota entered the game. 

At the time, it was 24-0 in favor of the Vikings. There was no reason to risk any further injury to Daniels, so Quinn decided to roll with Mariota for the rest of the game. Minnesota defeated Washington 31-0.

Daniels struggled before leaving the game. He completed just 9-of-20 passes for 78 yards and the interception. Washington fell to 3-10, one season removed from advancing to the NFC Championship Game.

Daniels previously addressed his willingness to keep playing. This is despite Washington’s struggles in 2025.

“I got to go out there and play football,” Jayden Daniels said, per Commanders reporter Ben Standing. “If I’m back out there, I’m healthy and ready to go. I want to be out there.”

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn echoed those comments as well. But with four games left and Washington out of the playoff race, perhaps they could wait until 2026.

“It’s important that Jayden’s getting going, learning to play this position at the highest level competitively,” Quinn said, per John Keim of ESPN. “Also doing it safely. Those are reps that you develop as well. It’s a skill just like throwing and processing. All those things are important.”

Nick Geddes contributed to this report