Jayden Daniels Suffers Another Left Elbow Injury in Commanders’ Clash With Cowboys

 News Date: September 21, 2026

Jayden Daniels Suffers Another Left Elbow Injury as Commanders Fall to Cowboys

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered another dislocated left elbow during Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, creating a major setback for Washington early in the 2026 NFL season.

Daniels was injured on the final play of the first half at AT&T Stadium. After taking the snap, he lost his balance and attempted to brace his fall with his left arm. He remained on the field in pain before being helped by medical personnel and taken off the field on a cart.

The Commanders later ruled Daniels out for the remainder of the game. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Daniels had dislocated his left elbow, but initial X-rays did not show a fracture. Additional imaging was scheduled to determine whether there was ligament damage and whether surgery would be required.

Daniels Was Having an Impact Before the Injury

The injury came during a strong individual performance from Daniels.

Before leaving the game, the quarterback completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed seven times for 69 yards, helping Washington fight back after falling behind early.

Washington was trailing Dallas 17-10 when Daniels was injured. The Commanders had reached the Dallas 1-yard line with three seconds remaining in the second quarter, giving them an opportunity to tie the game.

Instead, the injury changed the direction of the contest.

Same Elbow Injured Again

The latest injury involves the same left elbow that Daniels dislocated during the 2025 season.

He previously suffered the injury against the Seattle Seahawks and missed several games. He later aggravated the same elbow after returning to action, contributing to a shortened 2025 season.

The Commanders had entered the 2026 season hoping that changes to their offense and a greater emphasis on protecting Daniels would help keep their starting quarterback on the field.

Those plans have now been disrupted again.

Marcus Mariota Takes Over

With Daniels unable to continue, Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback for Washington in the second half.

Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but the Commanders were unable to overcome Dallas' offense. The Cowboys eventually won 37-20, leaving Washington with an 0-2 record.

Coach Dan Quinn said the team would rally around Mariota while Daniels works through his recovery.

Recovery Timeline Remains Unclear

At this stage, there is no confirmed return date for Daniels.

The absence of a fracture on the initial X-rays is one part of the medical assessment, but further testing is needed to determine the extent of the injury. Any ligament damage and the possible need for surgery could affect how long Daniels remains sidelined.

For Washington, the immediate focus will be on preparing Mariota while waiting for more information about Daniels' condition.

The Commanders still have a long season ahead, but the health of their starting quarterback has become one of the team's biggest storylines following the loss to Dallas.

This story will be updated when the Commanders provide further information about Jayden Daniels' injury and recovery timeline.