The Washington Commanders’ injured star quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play again this season, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday.
Marcus Mariota will be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the Commanders’ season. Washington is 4-10 and out of the playoff race.
“It was a lot — part medical and part team,” Quinn told reporters regarding the team’s decision. “… We believe this decision allows (Daniels) to take advantage of the next few weeks in a different way. He wants to practice and he will practice. He also wants to support Marcus in a way that Marcus has demonstrated and helped him.”
Daniels wanting to practice means that he will not be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
“He’s not happy he’s going to be out, but that’s where we’re at,” Quinn said.
Daniels only started seven of the Commanders’ first 14 games this season because of a trio of injuries. He missed two games with a knee sprain, one with a hamstring strain and four more with a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow.
Daniels returned from the hamstring-related absence Nov. 2 against the Seattle Seahawks only to dislocate the elbow during a sack that same game. After missing a month (three games plus the team’s bye week), he came back Dec. 7 at the Minnesota Vikings but re-injured the elbow in a 31-0 loss.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU and the second overall draft pick in 2024, Daniels immediately became the Commanders’ long-sought franchise quarterback. He led the team to an NFC Championship Game berth against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last season.
In 17 regular-season games as a rookie, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions while adding 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Daniels ends his sophomore season with 1,262 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions along with 278 yards and two scores on the ground.
