Robert Griffin III knows what it is like to be the star quarterback for the Washington Commanders organization. He was drafted by the team with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and had a star season in his rookie year. However, he tore his ACL during the playoffs that year, and he was never able to regain his form again.
On Sunday night, the Commanders saw their quarterback Jayden Daniels suffer a gruesome injury. As he was being tackle, his non-throwing arm was bent in a way that was hard to see. He ended up being carted off the field, and it was a terrible end to a night where the Commanders were blown out 38-14 by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
No one understands what is like to be a star quarterback in Washington, only to have to deal with serious injuries as well. Griffin posted a video on social media, where he was visibly shaken for Daniels.
“I can’t do this,” Griffin sighed as he turned off the video.
The similarities between Daniels and Griffin are undeniable. They both won the Heisman Trophy in college, and were both taken No. 2 by the franchise. They are both also phenomenal athletes who one negative on them coming into the NFL was would their body be able to take the physicality of the NFL.
Neither of them have the biggest frame, and they both utilized their legs in a big way.
Like Griffin, Daniels put together a spectacular rookie season, leading the team to the playoffs. Daniels took it one step further, and took the Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.
This year hasn’t been the same, as he has had to deal with a ton of injuries. First, he suffered a sprained knee in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, and he missed two games. Then he suffered a right hamstring injury against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, and he sat out the Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
What once started as a season with high expectations is quickly looking like a lost year for the Commanders. For Daniels, fans all across the NFL are hoping that this is just a tough season, and that he will be able to return to being the incredible quarterback he showed last season.
No one can truly understand what Daniels is dealing with more than Griffin, and seeing his reaction to the injury definitely shows how serious this could be.
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