Jayden Daniels Injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during Sunday night's blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, an injury expected to sideline him for several games. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Daniels landed awkwardly on his non-throwing arm while being tackled.

Marcus Mariota Steps In

Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will take over the starting role, having already demonstrated his capability when called upon this season. Most notably, Mariota led a dramatic comeback in Week 18 of last season against Dallas, completing 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown to Terry McLaurin with three seconds remaining. Earlier this season, Mariota stepped in during a Week 7 victory over Carolina, going 18-of-23 for 205 yards and two touchdowns while adding 34 rushing yards.

Upcoming Schedule

The timing presents both challenges and opportunities for Washington. The Commanders face the Detroit Lions at home on November 9th, followed by an international matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain on November 16th. The team then benefits from their bye week in Week 12 before hosting Denver on November 30th.

Mariota, who re-signed with Washington on a one-year, $8 million deal, has been praised by coaches and teammates for his veteran leadership and dual-threat capabilities. The 31-year-old backup has posted a solid 66.2 QBR since 2020, demonstrating his reliability when thrust into action.

What to Expect

Expectations for Mariota's upcoming starts should be measured but optimistic. His mobility and experience running offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system provide continuity, though replacing last season's Offensive Rookie of the Year presents obvious challenges. The bye week's timing could prove beneficial, giving Daniels additional recovery time while allowing Mariota to settle into the starting role against quality opponents in Detroit and Miami.

The Commanders' playoff hopes now rest on Mariota's shoulders during this critical stretch.