Overview
- Coaches confirmed late last week that Jayden Daniels will start Sunday in Week 5 against the New York Giants after practicing full speed while wearing a protective brace on his non-throwing left elbow.
- Daniels suffered a second left elbow dislocation earlier this season in the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and the club chose a brace-and-rehab plan instead of placing him on injured reserve.
- Several NFL doctors quoted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter warned that a third dislocation is likely without surgical repair, a concern that contrasts with team medical exams that found no fracture or major ligament tear.
- Marcus Mariota aggravated an MCL in Week 4 which has elevated seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into the likely primary backup behind Daniels for the immediate stretch of games.
- The Commanders’ decision balances short-term availability and roster pressures against long-term risk because surgery is viewed as the most definitive fix and Daniels is in a contract year that incentivizes playing now.