Doctors fear Jayden Daniels at higher risk for another elbow dislocation as Commanders start him Sunday
Doctors around the NFL believe it's a matter of when, not if, Washington's quarterback hurts his left elbow again after two dislocations in 11 months
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Jayden Daniels is back under center for the Washington Commanders on Sunday against the Giants, but medical experts around the NFL have raised serious concerns about the long-term health of his left elbow.
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): There are doctors around the NFL who believe it's a matter of when, not if, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels hurts his left elbow again. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50152303/doctors-fear-risk-further-jayden-daniels-elbow-injury
Daniels has dislocated his left elbow twice in the past 11 months — the most recent occurring during the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. Despite consulting with specialists in New York and Los Angeles who determined that playing with a motion-restriction brace is a viable option, multiple doctors told ESPN they believe another dislocation is a matter of when, not if.
The concern adds a layer of risk to an already difficult situation for Washington. Daniels will take his first snaps back in a driving rainstorm with 25 mph winds at MetLife Stadium. He will also be without top wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was officially ruled out, though Terry McLaurin will play. The Commanders enter the game at 1-3 with fading playoff hopes.
Daniels' brace restricts elbow motion in hopes of preventing a hyperextension that could cause another dislocation. But doctors who spoke with ESPN expressed doubt that any brace can fully mitigate the structural vulnerability created by two prior dislocations. The Commanders have not commented on Daniels' long-term outlook beyond Sunday.