The Washington Commanders put an end to their eight-game losing streak on Sunday with a 29-21 victory over the New York Giants, which saw backup quarterback Marcus Mariota get the start after star quarterback Jayden Daniels re-injured his non-throwing elbow in a 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14.
Head coach Dan Quinn suggested Daniels could have returned to that game.
“[That game] didn’t weigh on me. It was just where we were in the game,” Quinn said. “It wasn’t going like we wanted, and I thought it was the best call. It wasn’t a difficult one that I wrestled with in that spot. I said I was going to make the best decision for him and the team. He wasn’t happy about it. This is the best decision right now, and I’ll continue to do that whether it was him or anybody else in that spot.”
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Just a few days later, Daniels was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Giants – and now he’s done for the season. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed Daniels is being shut down for the rest of the season.
“The #Commanders have decided to shut down QB Jayden Daniels for the final 3 games, turning his focus to supporting Marcus Mariota. Daniels was re-evaluated today & not yet cleared. With him expected to be medically ruled out vs. the #Eagles, then facing a short week vs. the #Cowboys on Christmas, the final decision was made today,” Rapoport reported.
It was a lost season for Daniels and the Commanders, who made a surprise run to the NFC title game in 2024. Now it’s on to 2026 for the young quarterback.
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