Washington Commanders leader Dan Quinn has stated he shares some the fault for a serious injury to the team’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Context
Daniels, who enjoyed one of the greatest rookie campaigns of all time last season, sustained a dislocated left elbow in Sunday’s defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. Although the quarterback throws with his right arm, the injury has placed his season in doubt. The condition was serious enough that the TV coverage avoided showing repeats and several players looked away as Daniels was treated by medical staff.
Backlash and Coach’s Reaction
Coach Quinn faced scrutiny as many felt Daniels should not have been on the playing surface in the first place. The incident happened in the final period with the Commanders trailing 38-7, making a comeback unlikely. It is typical in these situations for teams to put in their backup quarterback to avoid injuries to their starter.
“I get that. I’ve been reflecting about it constantly, too, and, man, I missed it,” Quinn remarked of his decision to keep Jayden in the match. “This is 100% on me.”
Aftermath and Team Outlook
Mariota will be the team’s primary QB from now on, but he will lead a team in turmoil. After making the conference title game last season thanks to Daniels’s brilliance, the team have faced difficulties this season. They additionally lost defensive back Lattimore (ACL tear) and pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey (collarbone fracture) on Sunday, and have a number of other key players on injured reserve. The Commanders are 3-6 so far, and it would take a huge turnaround for the club to make the playoffs.
