Doctors around the NFL believe Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels could injure his left elbow again, with some viewing another injury as a matter of when rather than if, sources told ESPN.
Those concerns remain even as Daniels prepares to play Sunday against the New York Giants. He practiced fully throughout the week and is expected to wear a brace on the elbow.
Daniels visited specialists in New York and Los Angeles for evaluations. The overwhelming opinion from those specialists was that playing while wearing the brace represented a viable option for the quarterback.
Other doctors around the league hold a more concerning view of the situation, according to sources. Those doctors have not examined Daniels, but they maintain that his history leaves him at greater risk of another dislocation.
Daniels has dislocated the elbow twice during the past 11 months. Doctors expressing concern believe a player with two dislocations during that span faces a higher risk of suffering the injury again.
The quarterback’s second elbow dislocation occurred in Week 2. Daniels subsequently missed Washington’s last two games before returning as a full participant in practice throughout the week.
Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough addressed Daniels’ status Thursday. Blough said the quarterback would be a “full go” for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
Washington does not plan to restrict its offensive approach because Daniels will be wearing the brace. Blough stressed that there would be no limitations involving the Commanders’ game plan.
Daniels also said the brace does not prevent him from handling the tasks required of him at quarterback. He said he can do everything necessary while wearing it.
That includes being able to hand off the ball and take snaps from center. Those were among the specific quarterback responsibilities Daniels identified when discussing what he can do with the brace.
The plan calls for Daniels to continue playing with the brace beyond Sunday’s game. He will wear it for the remainder of the season following the two elbow dislocations over the past 11 months.
Daniels’ return also establishes Washington’s quarterback arrangement for the game against New York. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as the backup behind Daniels on Sunday.
Marcus Mariota was ruled out because of a sprained MCL, leaving Kaliakmanis in the backup role for the game.