Jayden Daniels
Quarterback #5
Jayden Daniels News
Jayden Daniels Taking Another Step Toward Return
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will participate in practice this week, according to Ben Standig. Daniels missed Sunday's win over Seattle after dislocating his left elbow against Dallas in Week 2, but Washington has kept him off injured reserve and considers him week-to-week. Surgery is not currently part of the plan. Head coach Dan Quinn has also said Daniels will more than likely travel with the team to London for Sunday's game against Indianapolis, though his playing status remains undecided. How much Daniels actually does in practice will matter, but getting him back on the field this quickly is an encouraging step. Marcus Mariota would make another start if Daniels isn't ready.
Sep 28, 2026 11:38 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Likely to Travel to London, Week 4 Status Unclear
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that injured quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will "more than likely" travel with the team to the United Kingdom when they leave on Tuesday night. The Commanders play the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, Oct. 4, in England. However, Quinn does not know yet whether Daniels will play in six days. But that there is even a chance for Daniels to play tells us that he might not be far off from returning after dislocating his left elbow again in Week 2. The 25-year-old former second overall pick in 2024 from LSU also suffered a serious left-elbow dislocation last year, and he ended up playing in only seven games in his sophomore campaign. Through two games in 2026, Daniels has thrown for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. In his absence on Sunday, veteran backup Marcus Mariota led Washington to an upset victory over the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Daniels most likely will not be active in Week 4 in England, but he could make his return for a Week 5 divisional clash the following Sunday against the New York Giants.
Sep 28, 2026 8:08 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Should Return Within Three Weeks
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is expected to return within three weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The former first-round pick underwent extensive testing after dislocating his elbow during last week's loss to the Cowboys, and medical experts determined that he'll miss no more than three games as part of his recovery. Rapoport notes that Daniels may end up wearing a brace on his shoulder during games once he does return. The 25-year-old had very modest passing numbers to start the season, but he salvaged his fantasy value with three touchdowns, zero turnovers, and 100 rushing yards through less than two full games. Marcus Mariota is expected to start at quarterback for now, but Daniels will return to the lineup as a low-end fantasy QB1 sometime in mid-October.
Sep 27, 2026 6:37 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Could Undergo Surgery After the 2026 Season
"Surgery remains a strong possibility" for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) at the end of the 2026 season, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Daniels dislocated his left elbow during his team's Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the same injury he suffered in Week 9 of the 2025 season. While Daniels will not play in Washington's Week 3 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, he has not been placed on Injured Reserve and could make a relatively quick return to the field. Pelissero reports that Daniels was "determined" to avoid immediate surgery, meaning that he will wear a brace and attempt to play through the injury. When healthy, the 25-year-old remains a high-upside fantasy quarterback thanks to his ability to produce as both a passer and a rusher. However, Daniels' shaky health outlook makes it difficult for fantasy managers to trust him going forward.
Sep 26, 2026 6:00 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Considered Week-to-Week After Meeting with Specialists
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) traveled to New York and Los Angeles this week, meeting with multiple specialists ahead of his and the team's decision to forgo surgery, according to NFL reporter Albert Breer. Daniels has been ruled out of the team's Week 3 matchup with the Seahawks after dislocating his elbow for the second time in as many seasons, but he is considered week-to-week, and the team has yet to make a decision on whether he will travel to London for the Commanders' Week 4 matchup with the Colts. Washington travels for that international game on Tuesday, which should give fantasy managers a much-needed clue to Daniels' status before waivers run in most leagues.
Sep 25, 2026 9:25 AM EST
Surgery Not an Option for Jayden Daniels, Quick Return Possible?
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said that "surgery is not on the table" for injured quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) and that the team has "not discussed" placing Daniels on Injured Reserve, per JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports. Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second time in the last calendar year during Washington's Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old has already been ruled out for the Commanders' Week 3 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but it appears as though the team is anticipating that Daniels will return to the field within its next four games. Before getting hurt, Daniels threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards on 12 attempts in roughly a game and a half of action this season. He remains an ultra-high-upside dual-threat quarterback for fantasy managers when healthy, but his ability to stay on the field is a major question mark. With Daniels sidelined, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota will take over as Washington's QB1.
Sep 25, 2026 5:13 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Ruled Out for Week 3
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will not play in Week 3 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, according to Ben Standig. Daniels was set to undergo more testing on his dislocated left elbow on Monday. The Commanders never passed along a specific update on the 25-year-old after that testing, but it is no surprise that he is being ruled out in Week 3 after he dislocated his left elbow again in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. Daniels also missed time last year with the same injury, so fantasy managers should not be surprised if he misses multiple weeks this time around. Veteran Marcus Mariota will start under center for Washington this weekend against a tough Seahawks defense, making him a low-end QB2 option for desperate fantasy managers in superflex leagues in Week 3. Daniels' season is off to a bad start due to his elbow injury, but he should be held in all leagues where he is rostered for now until we have a clearer timetable for his potential return.
Sep 23, 2026 8:45 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Undergoes Imaging on Injured Elbow
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) underwent imaging Monday after dislocating his left elbow in Sunday's loss to Dallas, according to Ian Rapoport. Daniels will now consult with multiple experts over the next few days as part of the team's normal evaluation process. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but Washington has not given a recovery timetable. Daniels suffered the injury on the final play of the first half when he fell and tried to brace himself with his left arm. He finished 11-of-17 passing for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 rushing yards. It is the same elbow Daniels dislocated last season.
Sep 21, 2026 11:45 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Suffers Dislocated Left Elbow
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) was carted off the field during the first half of Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels sustained a dislocated left elbow while attempting to prevent himself from falling on the final play of the first half. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the injury, but said there's no fracture, per Tashan Reed. Before leaving, Daniels completed 11-of-17 passing attempts for 96 yards and a touchdown. He also added 69 additional yards on the ground on seven rushing attempts. The Commanders haven't given a timetable for Daniels yet, but he'll likely miss some time. Marcus Mariota is in line to take over under center going forward.
Sep 20, 2026 4:24 PM EST
Jayden Daniels Ruled Out in Week 2 With Elbow Injury
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been ruled out for the rest of the game against the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels injured his left elbow on the last play of the first half. He was carted off the field and quickly ruled out for the third quarter. Before the injury, Daniels completed 11 out of his 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown pass, while adding seven carries for 69 yards. Marcus Mariota took the reins of Washington's offense following Daniels' injury. Athan Kaliakmanis is the emergency option at quarterback for Washington.
Sep 20, 2026 3:14 PM EST
Jayden Daniels Suffers Arm Injury Against Cowboys
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered an apparent arm injury in today's game against the Dallas Cowboys and his arm "was bent in a way that an arm should not be bent" according to The Athletic reporter Nicki Jhabvala. Jhabvala said that a cart came onto the field to cart off Daniels. The Washington quarterback was 11-for-17 passing with 96 yards and a passing touchdown before the injury and had seven rushes for 69 yards as well.
Sep 20, 2026 2:11 PM EST
Jayden Daniels A Strong Option in Week 2 at Dallas
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had an uneven start to the season in Philadelphia in Week 1, completing 18 of 34 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns while adding five rushes for 31 yards on the ground. Daniels and the Washington offense struggled to get much going through three quarters, but the third-year signal caller found his rhythm in the fourth quarter, completing nine of 11 passes for 99 yards and throwing both of his touchdowns. The offense should operate more smoothly now that Daniels has shaken off some of the rust and won't be facing a Vic Fangio-led defense. However, Daniels faces a Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 2 coordinated by Fangio disciple Christian Parker, which got torched by the Giants in Week 1 and is now dealing with a few injuries. Jaxson Dart was nearly flawless in the game and finished the week as the QB4. In a matchup with one of the highest projected point totals of the week, Daniels should be trusted as a high-upside QB1 for Week 2 and ranks as RotoBaller's QB5.
Sep 19, 2026 7:31 AM EST
Jayden Daniels' Stock Dips After Uneven Return
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels got to a decent fantasy line in Week 1, but the passing numbers were rough. Daniels completed 18 of 34 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-22 loss to Philadelphia, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. He added 31 yards on five carries. Both touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter after Washington spent much of the game stuck in neutral, managing only 50 yards on its seven non-scoring drives. Daniels was pressured on 19 of 38 dropbacks, and six of his incompletions were intentional throwaways, so the stat line needs some context. It was also his first regular-season game since Dec. 7 after an elbow injury ended his 2025 season early. The rushing still gives Daniels plenty of fantasy insulation, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the QB6 for Week 2. Still, 164 passing yards on 34 attempts wasn't the return fantasy managers were hoping to see. His stock takes a small step back after the opener.
Sep 18, 2026 12:01 PM EST
Jayden Daniels Faces Stiff Test in Philly to Open Season
Washington Commanders third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is coming off a disappointing sophomore campaign that was derailed by injuries. The 25-year-old started only seven games and only played four full games, and his completion percentage fell from the historic 69% mark in his rookie season to 60.6% in 2025. Daniels enters the 2026 regular season fully healthy and motivated to produce with a revamped pass-catching group, headlined by the addition of veteran WR Stefon Diggs, along with third-round rookie WR Antonio Williams, TE Chig Okonkwo, and RB Rachaad White. The loss of star LT Laremy Tunsil (triceps) is a major blow, but Daniels also led Washington to a top-5 offense without him two seasons ago. The LSU product faces a strong challenge on the road in Philadelphia in Week 1, where he last took the field more than one season ago in the 2024-25 NFC Championship Game. Facing the vaunted Super Bowl-winning Eagles defense three times as a rookie, Daniels averaged 24.29 fantasy points per game in those matchups. The Eagles' defense again looks primed to be one of the best in football after allowing the fewest passing touchdowns last season, but Daniels still projects favorably due to his dual-threat ability. Daniels ranks as RotoBaller's QB12 for Week 1.
Sep 11, 2026 8:22 PM EST
Jayden Daniels Primed for a Bounce-Back Season in 2026
Washington Commanders third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, out of LSU, had a down season in 2025 after his rookie campaign, in which he finished as the QB5 while rushing for 891 yards and throwing for 3,568 yards, and led the Commanders to the NFC title game. His 2025 season was derailed by multiple injuries, and he played in only seven games. Daniels is healthy entering the 2026 season with an improved receiving group. The Commanders brought in Stefon Diggs over the Patriots, Chig Okonkwo from the Titans, and Terry McLaurin is healthy entering the season. Diggs remained efficient on a per-route basis with the Patriots last season, and McLaurin had a career year with Daniels in 2024, when he had 1,096 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 117 targets. Daniels still has elite rushing upside and should bounce back in a big way this season. RotoBaller ranks Daniels as the QB4 for the season and the 60th overall player off the board.
Sep 3, 2026 6:36 PM EST
Jayden Daniels, Commanders Offense Have Brutal Day Against Ravens
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and the starting offense had a miserable joint practice against Baltimore on Wednesday. Nicki Jhabvala called it the worst she has seen the Commanders' offense look in years and described the offensive line as "inoperable." Washington was shorthanded up front, which matters here. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil remains out after undergoing surgery for a torn triceps, center Nick Allegretti is dealing with a calf injury, and right guard Sam Cosmi missed Wednesday's work because of an illness. The Commanders signed veteran tackle D.J. Humphries on Wednesday, but he obviously wasn't going to fix everything overnight. Daniels played only seven games last season, throwing for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 278 rushing yards and two scores. One ugly August practice isn't a reason to knock Daniels far down draft boards, but Washington's battered offensive line is becoming a legitimate concern with Week 1 approaching.
Aug 26, 2026 10:30 AM EST
No Determination Made on Whether Jayden Daniels Will Play Saturday
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and the rest of his staff have yet to decide whether or not quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in the team's second preseason game. Ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Lions, Quinn met with the media and shared that "a good amount of starters" will get some playing time, but that he would look at each player on a case-by-case basis, according to senior team writer Zach Selby. Daniels is a player on whom a determination has yet to be made, as Quinn wants to know the health of the players around him first. Daniels is looking to bounce back from a disappointing, injury-marred second season, and by all accounts, he has looked sharp and decisive in new offensive coordinator David Blough's under-center system. The former second overall pick and 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year is RotoBaller's QB3.
Aug 21, 2026 6:25 AM EST
Commanders Head Coach Dismisses Recent Jayden Daniels Controversy
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn downplayed the recent controversy involving quarterback Jayden Daniels and LSU when he spoke with reporters Sunday. Asked whether he and Daniels had discussed the matter, Quinn said he "hasn't followed it a lot," according to Ben Standig. He didn't offer an opinion on the dispute itself, instead pointing to the strong camp Daniels has put together and the leadership he's shown. Daniels' representatives recently sent LSU a cease-and-desist letter regarding the school's use of his name, image and likeness after his former No. 5 was given to cornerback DJ Pickett. Daniels addressed the situation Thursday, saying his "sole personal focus" is Commanders football and that he hopes the issues with LSU can be resolved privately. Quinn's answer Sunday stayed in that same football-first lane. Daniels has looked comfortable in Washington's new offense throughout camp, and Quinn previously said the quarterback was ahead of where he expected him to be in taking command of the system.
Aug 16, 2026 11:54 AM EST
Jayden Daniels Not Playing in Friday's Preseason Opener
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday night against the Miami Dolphins, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The Commanders will hold out their key starters on Friday, which also includes receivers Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White, and tight end Chig Okonkwo. It remains to be seen if Washington will roll Daniels and the starting unit out there for their second preseason tilt next Saturday against the Detroit Lions. The 25-year-old has recently been in the headlines over a dispute with his alma mater at LSU, but that shouldn't distract fantasy managers from the fact that Daniels has top-five fantasy upside at the QB position in 2026 if he can stay healthy. The former second overall pick was unable to do that last year, starting just seven games and throwing for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. Daniels became a bit more interesting as a high-end bounce-back candidate when the Commanders added Diggs to the fold to give McLaurin help in the passing game.
Aug 14, 2026 1:01 PM EST
Jayden Daniels Issues Personal Statement Regarding LSU Controversy
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels addressed his dispute with LSU on Thursday and made clear he wants the matter handled away from football. In a statement shared on Instagram and reposted by Adam Schefter, Daniels said training camp has been his "number one focus" and that his "sole personal focus is on Commanders' football." He also said he remains grateful for his time at LSU and hopes the issues between his team and the school can be resolved privately. The statement comes after Daniels' representatives sent LSU a cease-and-desist asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness, then requested that LSU return its copy of the Heisman Trophy he won in 2023. Washington's own camp coverage has described Daniels as sharp and increasingly comfortable in the offense, including a strong showing in Wednesday's joint practice with Miami. For fantasy managers, this remains an off-field story.
Aug 13, 2026 11:26 AM EST
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