The mood among Washington Commanders fans has completely changed. Before the campaign, there was nothing but positivity about what could be ahead for this resurgent franchise. Now, they are filled with dismay, anger, and everything in between.
Dan Quinn has come in for scathing criticism for keeping Jayden Daniels in the firing line despite getting blown out by the Seattle Seahawks. The gamble didn't pay off, with the dynamic quarterback suffering a gruesome dislocated elbow that sapped the life out of Northwest Stadium in prime time.
Concerns were immediate, and reports suggested that Daniels is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines. Nothing was confirmed for sure, but Adam Schefter from ESPN questioned whether the former LSU phenom would take the field for Washington again in 2025.
Dan Quinn took accountability for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' injury
Quinn didn't have much to say on the matter, nor did he elaborate on his decision to move forward with Daniels under center after the game. The signal-caller's X-ray came back negative, indicating no fractures or breaks. However, the MRI would be much more revealing.
The former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator shed further light on Daniels' outlook during his latest media availability on Monday. And as expected, it wasn't good.
The coach confirmed that Daniels had dislocated the elbow in his non-throwing arm. Washington hasn't set any timetable for his recovery as the medical staff continues to gather information on the complication. He also took accountability, claiming the scrambling risk was on him and not on anyone else.
Fans could see that something was seriously wrong. Quinn has confirmed that now, and even though the Commanders are still working their way through the finer details, a lengthy spell on the sidelines is all but guaranteed. There have also been no conversations about shutting Daniels down, even if he is healthy enough to participate. His focus is solely on the Detroit Lions and not much else.
Quinn also confirmed reports that veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore had torn his ACL and Luke McCaffrey sustained a broken collarbone on the opening kickoff. It's one disaster after another, but the realization that Daniels' problem could have been avoided hasn't been lost on the coach upon further reflection.
Now, it's a waiting game for everyone. But reading between the lines, it's going to be a long time before fans get the chance to see Washington's franchise player on the field in a competitive setting.
And it might not be until the 2026 campaign, depending on the outcome of what comes next.