Washington's football fans have been here before.
They're just hoping this story has a different ending.
More than a decade ago, Robert Griffin III was the next big thing in the nation's capital. He was a dynamic young quarterback meant to lead Washington back into football's spotlight.
And then an injury risk led to a worse outcome for RG3, and he was never the same.
The best thing to happen to football in Washington since then is Jayden Daniels.
This season, Daniels had already dealt with multiple injuries heading into Sunday night. But he was back out there, healthy.
The Commanders left Daniels in down 38-7 with less than 10 minutes to play, conceptually hoping he'd put together a drive to feel good about.
Instead, on a late scramble, he was brought down awkwardly and his left arm snapped out of place.
He had it immobilized in a cast on the field almost immediately.
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The game had already long been over. This put a future in jeopardy, too.
Of course, this isn't the same decision-making group. It's not totally fair to lump Griffin and Daniels in one category.
Except for the fans, it feels a bit that way.
Why was Daniels in? And in retrospect, why did Washington risk Griffin when he was already hurt?
They aren't the same scenario, and Washington fans are hoping they aren't the same outcome.
Griffin was meant to be the savior and never got his chance.
Daniels already began saving football in D.C. as a rookie. The Commanders hope he can heal up and bring more salvation, because the path traveled by RG3 is too much of a bummer to go down again.
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