Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second time in less than a year during Washington’s 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on September 20, 2026.
The initial news contained one encouraging sign: X-rays showed no fracture. Daniels is undergoing additional testing to determine whether the latest dislocation damaged ligaments or other structures around the elbow, which will help determine his treatment and recovery timetable.
What Is Jayden Daniels’ Injury?
Daniels suffered a dislocation of his left elbow, the same elbow he dislocated during the 2025 NFL season.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed the diagnosis after the Dallas game and said initial X-rays showed no broken bones. Daniels returned to the Washington area with the team and was expected to undergo additional imaging. [NFL] [Reuters]
An elbow dislocation occurs when the bones that form the joint are forced out of their normal alignment. A dislocation can also damage ligaments, tendons, nerves or blood vessels around the joint, which is why additional testing can be important even when X-rays show no fracture. [Cleveland Clinic]
How Did Jayden Daniels Dislocate His Elbow Against The Cowboys?
Daniels was injured on the final play of the first half against Dallas.
Washington had the ball near the Cowboys’ goal line when left guard Chris Paul accidentally stepped on Daniels’ left foot after the snap. Daniels lost his balance and attempted to brace himself against the turf with his left arm.
His weight came down on the extended arm, causing the elbow to dislocate. Medical personnel stabilized the arm before Daniels was taken from the field. [Washington Post] [Reuters]
Is This Jayden Daniels’ Second Elbow Dislocation?
Yes.
Daniels first dislocated his left elbow on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
That injury occurred when Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas tackled Daniels during a fourth-quarter scramble and Daniels landed awkwardly on his left arm. [NFL] [Washington Post]
The September 20, 2026 injury against Dallas is therefore the second confirmed dislocation of the same elbow in less than 11 months.
How Serious Was Jayden Daniels’ First Elbow Dislocation?
Daniels’ first elbow injury initially appeared severe, but subsequent testing produced relatively encouraging results.
Doctors found no fracture or significant ligament damage, and Daniels did not need surgery. The Commanders also chose not to place him on injured reserve. [Washington Post]
Daniels eventually returned to practice and was cleared to play against the Minnesota Vikings on December 7 after missing four games. [Commanders]
Did Jayden Daniels Hurt The Elbow Again After Returning In 2025?
Yes, but that incident was not another dislocation.
After returning against Minnesota, Daniels landed on the previously injured elbow while pursuing a defender following an interception.
The Commanders said Daniels had re-aggravated the elbow but did not suffer another major structural injury or redislocate the joint. Washington eventually shut him down for the final games of the season. [Commanders]
That makes the injury sequence:
- November 2, 2025: First left-elbow dislocation
- December 2025: Re-aggravation without another dislocation
- September 20, 2026: Second confirmed left-elbow dislocation
Is Jayden Daniels’ Second Elbow Dislocation Worse Than The First?
That is not yet known.
The absence of a fracture is encouraging, but doctors still need to determine whether the latest injury damaged the ligaments and other soft tissue surrounding Daniels’ elbow.
Elbow dislocations can stretch or tear the ligaments responsible for stabilizing the joint. MRI or other imaging can be used to assess that damage. [Cleveland Clinic]
The question is particularly important because Daniels has now dislocated the same elbow twice.
However, it would be premature to conclude that Daniels has chronic elbow instability or will need surgery until the Commanders announce the results of his additional testing.
Does Jayden Daniels Need Surgery?
That has not been determined.
Quinn said additional testing would help doctors determine whether Daniels suffered ligament damage. The extent of any soft-tissue damage could determine whether doctors recommend surgical or nonsurgical treatment. [Washington Post] [Reuters]
Many simple elbow dislocations can be treated without surgery after the joint is returned to its proper position, followed by immobilization and rehabilitation. Surgery may be necessary when a dislocation is accompanied by serious structural damage or continued instability. [Cleveland Clinic]
Daniels avoided surgery after his first dislocation because doctors did not find major structural damage.
How Long Will Jayden Daniels Be Out?
There is no official timetable for Daniels’ return.
Quinn expressed some optimism that Daniels could return during the 2026 season, but Washington needs the results of additional testing before determining a recovery plan. [Reuters]
Daniels’ first dislocation provides some context but does not establish a timetable for the second injury.
After his November 2, 2025 dislocation, Daniels missed four games before returning on December 7. That injury did not involve a fracture or significant ligament damage and did not require surgery. [Commanders] [Washington Post]
If the new injury involves greater ligament damage or instability, the recovery timetable could be different.
Is It Good News That Jayden Daniels Did Not Break His Elbow?
Yes.
A dislocation accompanied by a fracture is generally more complicated than one without broken bones.
A dislocation without an accompanying fracture can be classified as a simple elbow dislocation, although significant ligament damage can still occur. [Cleveland Clinic]
Daniels’ initial X-rays therefore eliminated one potentially serious complication. The remaining question is whether the second dislocation caused substantial damage to the ligaments or other structures around the joint.
Is The Injured Elbow Jayden Daniels’ Throwing Arm?
No.
Daniels throws with his right arm, while both of his elbow dislocations have involved his left elbow. [NFL]
That does not make the injury insignificant for a quarterback. Daniels still needs his left arm to protect himself during falls, secure the football, absorb contact and maintain normal upper-body movement.
Why Is Jayden Daniels’ Injury History A Concern?
Daniels’ 2025 season was repeatedly interrupted by injuries.
Before his first elbow dislocation, he had already dealt with a left knee sprain and a right hamstring strain. He ultimately started only seven games during his second NFL season. [NFL]
The Commanders spent part of the offseason working with Daniels on avoiding unnecessary contact, particularly when running with the football.
His second elbow dislocation, however, was not the result of Daniels deliberately taking on a defender. His lineman accidentally stepped on his foot, causing Daniels to fall and instinctively extend his arm toward the turf. [Washington Post]
Why Was Jayden Daniels Still Playing When He Was Injured?
Daniels was injured on the final play of the first half with Washington still trying to score.
The Commanders trailed Dallas 17-10 and had the ball near the Cowboys’ goal line with only seconds remaining.
Washington attempted to score a touchdown rather than immediately settle for a field goal.
Quinn said afterward that he did not regret the aggressive decision because the Commanders believed they needed touchdowns against Dallas. [NFL]
The situation was different from Daniels’ first elbow dislocation against Seattle, which occurred late in a game Washington was losing 38-7. [NFL]
How Was Jayden Daniels Playing Before The Injury?
Daniels completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown before leaving the Dallas game.
He was especially productive as a runner, carrying seven times for 69 yards. [Reuters]
Daniels threw a touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs before suffering the injury late in the second quarter.
Who Replaces Jayden Daniels?
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota is Washington’s primary replacement while Daniels is unavailable.
Mariota replaced Daniels against Dallas and completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. [Reuters]
Mariota has extensive NFL starting experience and previously filled in for Daniels during injury absences.
What Happens Next With Jayden Daniels?
The most important immediate question is whether Daniels’ second dislocation caused ligament damage or instability in the elbow.
His first dislocation ultimately proved relatively uncomplicated: there was no fracture, no major ligament damage and no need for surgery.
Doctors already know that the second injury also did not cause an apparent fracture.
Additional imaging will determine whether Daniels was equally fortunate with the ligaments and other structures surrounding the joint. [Reuters] [Cleveland Clinic]
Jayden Daniels Elbow Injury Timeline
November 2, 2025: Daniels dislocates his left elbow against the Seattle Seahawks. [NFL]
November 2025: Testing shows no fracture or significant ligament damage, and surgery is not required. [Washington Post]
December 7, 2025: Daniels returns after missing four games. [Commanders]
December 2025: Daniels re-aggravates the elbow after returning but does not redislocate it. Washington later shuts him down for the remainder of the season. [Commanders]
September 20, 2026: Daniels dislocates the same left elbow against the Dallas Cowboys. Initial X-rays show no fracture. [AP]
September 21, 2026: Daniels awaits additional testing to determine the extent of ligament or other soft-tissue damage. [Reuters]
Jayden Daniels’ Second Elbow Dislocation At A Glance
- Injury: Dislocated left elbow
- Date: September 20, 2026
- Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
- Previous dislocation: November 2, 2025 vs. Seattle
- Same elbow: Yes
- Throwing arm: No
- Fracture: No fracture found on initial X-rays
- Ligament damage: Not yet known
- Surgery: Not yet determined
- Return timetable: No official timetable
- Replacement quarterback: Marcus Mariota
The key issue now is whether Daniels’ second dislocation caused ligament damage or left the elbow unstable. His first dislocation did not require surgery and kept him out for four games, but the Commanders cannot assume the same timetable until the latest imaging is complete. [AP] [Reuters]
