Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not undergo surgery on his dislocated left elbow and will not be placed on injured reserve, according to GM Adam Peters. Daniels visited specialists who said surgery is a last option. "As of right now surgery is not on the table and we have not discussed IR," Peters said on 106.7 The Fan. If that holds, Daniels returns within four weeks; IR would require missing four games. Washington plays Seattle, Indianapolis, and the Giants in the next three weeks. Because it was a second dislocation, Daniels could have faced season-ending surgery. Instead, he will rehab, strengthen the elbow, and wear a brace, though doctors say no guarantee it won't dislocate again. Daniels suffered the second dislocation of his left elbow on the final play of the first half in Sunday's 37-20 loss at Dallas. He dislocated the same elbow in Week 9 last season and reaggravated it in Week 14. X-rays showed no fracture; an MRI was done Monday. Marcus Mariota will start vs. Seattle. The Commanders are 0-2 and have lost 12 of their past 14 games.

After earning NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2024 and leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game, Daniels has missed 10 games over the past two seasons. In six quarters this season, he threw for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while rushing for 100 yards. On the injury play, a third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Daniels' left foot was stepped on by guard Chris Paul as he took the snap, and his left arm buckled inward.