Jayden Daniels, rookie QB for the Tennessee Titans, is unhappy about demand he’s had to endure this year. He was unafraid to express his disappointment and frustration on the challenges he faced. Injuries haunted Daniels all of 2022, forcing him to miss all but seven games, in which he was able to finish only four. In truth, he’s battled through a slew of maladies for most of the 2022 campaign. Unfortunately, a dislocated elbow has now made him sit out for the rest of this year.
Daniels emphasized that the injuries he suffered were freak accidents that were unavoidable. The worst injury occurring with only 7:39 left in the game. He dislocated his non-throwing elbow on perhaps the most important tackle of the game. When he tried to score from inside the 5-yard line, he fell hard on his left elbow and felt immediate pain. He lay on the turf for over a minute after the play, clearly still shaken from the collision.
Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn later confirmed that Daniels had re-aggravated a prior elbow injury in a Week 14 contest against Minnesota. In chasing down LB Andrew Van Ginkel, Daniels was pushed to the turf, causing him to land in such a way that further aggravated his elbow injury.
“This was the right call, even though it was a difficult one,” Quinn stated regarding the decision to shut Daniels down for the season.
While Daniels, good or otherwise, has fought an uphill battle this season with injuries littering his team’s roster. In those five years, he missed 15 games combined with the Titans. This season, he helped increase that total. Even through these difficulties, Daniels still threw for 1,262 yards with eight touchdowns and three picks. On the ground, he added another 278 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Daniels recognized the mental and physical effects that the season has taken. “Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. Things change when stuff settles down,” he noted, reflecting on how injuries affected his performance and mindset throughout the year.
Overcoming the challenges in his life has made Daniels hopeful for his future and what lies ahead. I don’t want to miss games period,” he said, stressing how important it was for him not to abandon his team. He recognized the importance of taking care of himself moving forward: “Longevity is a big thing, so you want to be smart with this.”
As the season comes to a close, Jayden Daniels will be focusing on recovery and preparation for next season. He promised to be there for his teammates while going through this. He had a promise to infuse creativity into the organization as they fortify for the future.
“Be out there, be supportive, and bring the juice and energy,” Daniels remarked, reiterating his dedication to contributing positively despite his current situation.
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