Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a left elbow injury during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. The injury occurred on the final play of the first half, as Daniels tried to regain his balance using his left arm, resulting in a hyperextension.

Reports describe the incident as his elbow bending in a way it shouldn’t, causing Daniels to be carted off the field at halftime. He covered his head with a towel, likely to hide his expression from the crowd, and was replaced by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota for the remainder of the game.

This incident is reminiscent of Daniels’ similar injury in 2025 during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. OutKick medical expert Dr. David Chao, having reviewed the footage, suggests a left elbow dislocation. He notes that such injuries can recur more easily once the ligament tear heals loosely.

Last year, Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Washington’s Week 9 loss to Seattle. Though MRI results showed no fracture or ligament damage, he was sidelined for several weeks to prioritize recovery. He did return briefly in Week 14 but had to be shut down for the season after aggravating the injury.

The Commanders now face the possibility of another season-altering injury so early in the year. Daniels’ current situation highlights the uncertain and challenging path back to fitness. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring updates to see how this develops.

Armando Salguero, OutKick’s Senior NFL Writer, continues to provide updates on this topic.