Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has taken a lot of heat over Jayden Daniels' injury. But as former NFL defensive back Nick Ferguson put into perspective, there's more to the situation.
"The score was 38-7 in the fourth quarter with 7 minutes and 39 seconds (remaining). The Commanders are right there on the 5-yard line. They're getting ready to score. No one is saying anything about why Jayden Daniels is still in the game, not even the commentators," Ferguson noted.
The former LSU Tigers Heisman Trophy winner got injured shortly after, but this is just the latest in an NFL trend. Ferguson points out other games this year with top quarterbacks in the game up several scores late.
"Let's rewind just a little because Jayden Daniels is not the only starting quarterback still in the game," Ferguson said. "The score is 31-7. And guess who's still in the game? That's right, Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks. And this has happened in the league this season. Let's look at Josh Allen when he's playing against the New York Jets. The score is 30-6. He's still in the game.
The upset with #Commanders HC Dan Quinn is blinding most from considering the obvious conversation. @NickiJhabvala @washingtonpost pic.twitter.com/U4GBCWyb26
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) November 3, 2025
"When you look at the game between the Colts and the Raiders, the Colts are up 40-6, I believe. But guess what? Geno Smith and Daniel Jones are both still in the game. You want further evidence? Let's go. Week two, Jared Goff versus Caleb Williams. The score is 45-21. And guess what, ladies and gentlemen? Both starting quarterbacks are in the game."
When you consider Washington's setup along the offensive line, the Commanders might want to reconsider a different plan to protect Daniels. On the play in question, he was scrambling on what appeared to be a missed blocking assignment.
In fact, Daniels has been sacked 17 times in six games he has played this season. He has also been "hit" 322 times in his career, the most in the NFL, according to ESPN stats. Ferguson takes a different angle on everything as it's presented.
"Now, people are only making us think about this because Jayden Daniels got injured and he was coming off of injury when he returned in the game against the Seattle Seahawks," he said. "There's evidence all around the league that both starting quarterbacks who are up big and the starting quarterback for the team that is losing are both in the game.
"So, if we want to have somewhat of a stink about it, let's just say, you know what, (starting) quarterbacks on either team should not be in the game. That should be the conversation, but no one is having that conversation. Everyone's pointing their finger at Dan Quinn and saying that it's his fault that his quarterback got injured."
Daniels won several awards outside his Heisman at LSU in 2023. The Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Davey O' Brien recipient was touted as the next great quarterback coming into the league. Two years into his career at Washington, he has accounted for 5,905 yards and 21 total touchdowns in 26 games.
Daniels has a dislocated elbow but no fracture and no timetable to return.
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