NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The Washington Commanders are playing it safe with their franchise quarterback, as Jayden Daniels has been shut down for the remaining three games of the 2025 season.
Daniels’ return under center did not go as planned, leaving the contest against the Minnesota Vikings early in Week 14 after aggravating his elbow injury while pursuing Andrew Van Ginkel following an interception.
After watching his backup, Marcus Mariota, perform well in his place against the New York Giants in a win on Sunday, head coach Dan Quinn announced the team’s decision on Monday for Daniels, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders watches during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Quinn told reporters it was “part doctor, part team” when they decided to move forward with Daniels.
While he will not participate on game day, Daniels will continue to practice with the team as they look to finish strong. The Commanders, at 4-10 on the season, have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
COMMANDERS’ JAYDEN DANIELS GETS HIT AFTER INTERCEPTION, INJURED SHOULDER
Obviously, that’s not how Daniels, nor anyone in the Commanders building, wanted this season to go after reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2024. But the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been plagued by injuries all season, starting with a sprained knee in Week 2.
After missing two games with that ailment, Daniels returned only to suffer a hamstring strain in Week 7 that caused him to miss one game. The big injury, however, was Week 9 when he suffered a brutal elbow injury that was tough to watch in a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home, 38-14.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball defended by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) during the second half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searls/Image Images)
Daniels burst onto the NFL scene as one of the best quarterbacks in football last season, leading the Commanders to a 12-5 record and immediately changing the trajectory of a franchise that had not reached the NFC Championship Game since its Super Bowl-winning season in 1991. Washington was defeated by its NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, who won Super Bowl LIX, but it was certainly a successful season as the team got its quarterback selection right. field.
But as Daniels battled injuries this season, the Commanders couldn’t stay afloat. In fact, they snapped an eight-game losing streak on Sunday with their 29-21 victory over the Giants.
Mariota has been useful in Daniels’ absence despite the results. He has thrown for 1,600 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while rushing for 298 yards and one score.
The 32-year-old went 10 of 19 for 211 yards with a touchdown in the win over New York at MetLife Stadium.
Combine FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX news, sports and entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
With Mariota starting the remaining three games, veteran Josh Johnson will back him up, with Wake Forest and Notre Dame product Sam Hartman also on the practice squad.
