Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks as specialists evaluate his dislocated left elbow and determine whether surgery is necessary.
Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Marcus Mariota will start Washington's home opener. Daniels underwent imaging after Sunday's injury, but the Commanders have not disclosed the results beyond the initial finding that there was no fracture.
The treatment decision remains unresolved
Daniels is expected to consult specialists Tuesday and Wednesday. The examinations will focus on ligament damage, the stability of the joint and whether surgery offers the best path forward.
The injury is particularly concerning because Daniels dislocated the same elbow during the 2025 season. That previous injury contributed to him missing seven of Washington's final eight games.
The new dislocation occurred on the final play of the first half during Sunday's 37 to 20 loss to Dallas. Left guard Chris Paul stepped on Daniels' foot as the quarterback moved away from pressure near the goal line. Daniels fell and braced himself with his left arm.
Mariota takes over for Seattle
Mariota replaced Daniels after halftime and completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He will now lead the offense against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Washington is not currently pursuing another veteran quarterback, according to Quinn. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis is expected to serve as Mariota's backup.
Before leaving Sunday, Daniels completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown to Stefon Diggs. He also led Washington with 69 rushing yards.
Ruling Daniels out answers the immediate question about Week 3, but the larger outlook remains uncertain. The specialist consultations should provide the clearest indication yet of whether he faces a shorter rehabilitation or another extended absence.
*Featured image: Jayden Daniels during the 2025 season, photographed by All Pro Reels. Licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).*