Things may not have gone the way of the Detroit Lions on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but looking ahead the Lions might have an edge over their next opponent.
Detroit heads on the road in Week 10 to face the Washington Commanders for the first time since they eliminated the Lions in the playoffs last season.
But it looks like quarterback Jayden Daniels won’t be available for the Commanders after suffering a severe injury Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
With less than eight minutes remaining in a blowout loss, Daniels scrambled toward the right sideline when he was tackled. The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year tried to use his non-throwing arm to steady himself as he rolled over and his left elbow bent inwards at an unnatural angle.
Medical staff immediately tended to Daniels and he had a temporary cast put on his arm before he left the field and went into the locker room.
Coach Dan Quinn only confirmed the injury was to Daniels’ left elbow. But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday the quarterback will “miss several games” despite the injury not being as bad as it could’ve been.
Regardless of whether the gruesome injury ends an already injury-plagued season for Daniels, it’s looking very likely he won’t be available for Sunday afternoon’s game against the Lions.
In six games this season, Daniels has amassed 1,184 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions on 62.5% passing. He’s also the second-leading rusher on the team with 262 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The former Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU lit up Detroit in his first-ever game against the team, tossing for 299 yards and two touchdowns with 51 rushing yards in Washington’s 45-31 win in the 2024 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Instead, the Commanders will likely have backup Marcus Mariota running their offense. He started three games for Washington this season while Daniels has dealt with an ankle and a hamstring injury.
In Mariota’s three games this season, the Commanders have a 1-2 record, while the former No. 2 overall pick has thrown for 639 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
The Lions will be hungry to get their win back after an upset defeat against the Vikings. Not having to deal with one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the league certainly could help that effort in Week 10.
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