The Washington Commanders are grappling with a significant quarterback crisis following the injury of Jayden Daniels, who suffered an elbow dislocation while scrambling during a recent game. The event occurred following a missed blocking assignment. This left a lot of questions as to whether or not the team would be able to keep their new franchise quarterback upright. Head coach Dan Quinn later confirmed that Daniels will be out “for a long time.” This is a worrisome sign for a team that we now know will sit somewhere around 3-6.
Daniels measured in at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He had been a freakish performer this season with 27 touchdowns before getting hurt. His performance has certainly come at a cost. He’s already been sacked 17 times through only six games this season. This marks his 322nd total hits the last two seasons combined, leads the NFL and is just astonishing. This dire creation of assessment has brought out massive concern as to the Commanders entire offensive line as well as their dedication to protecting their franchise quarterback.
Speaking about the injury, Quinn noted that the focus should be on giving Daniels’ recovery process the care it needs. “We will give him the support … in every single way,” he stated. The Commanders would be in a tough spot. They haven’t given their quarterbacks the protection of a proper offensive line.
Robert Griffin III, a former Commanders quarterback, shared his concerns with Daniels still taking the field. He’s right to be worried especially considering Daniels’ injury history. Why is he still in the game? ” he asked — suggesting the staff should have worked to rest Daniels’ hamstring until he was “as close to 100 percent as possible. Griffin’s comments underscore the franchise’s long-standing internal debate over their players’ health and safety against pushing them to perform.
The unfortunate ACL tear that has sidelined Daniels for the 2023 season not only impacts his own professional trajectory, it reflects a more widespread trend across the NFL. In the game today, teams put more and more pressure on quarterbacks to perform without spending any effort on protecting them. The Washington Commanders aren’t just in the market for a new signal caller, they’re fully aware that it takes a special, franchise-caliber QB to resurrect a franchise. At the same time, they understand that protecting their stars is equally important.
Daniel’s injury makes the Commanders come upon a harsh reality. They haven’t done enough to protect their QB, having recently inherited one, by fortifying their offensive front. Unlike more robust quarterbacks such as Josh Allen, who can withstand greater physical punishment, Daniels does not possess the same level of durability. The franchise needs to remind itself of a lesson that should have already been learned: protecting quarterbacks is paramount to ensure their longevity and effectiveness on the field.
As they look ahead, the Commanders must focus on their game plan without Daniels, who has proven to be a critical asset. Breaking tackles and outpacing everyone around him, his big-play potential has been a huge part of the team’s identity and success. His absence may prove to be extremely costly for Washington as they head into the second half of the season.
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