The Washington Commanders still aren't sure how much time quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss because of his dislocated left elbow, coach Dan Quinn said Monday.
Daniels underwent imaging tests Monday, but Quinn said the signal-caller will visit specialists Tuesday and Wednesday, which will determine the next course of action and the timeline for his return. X-rays taken after Washington lost at the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday revealed no structural damage.
"Like most things, let's take all the time we can to get it right," Quinn said.
"The freak [injuries] like this, it's hard to explain like this, obviously," he added. "I loved everything about the first half and how he was playing and what we did ... Obviously, a total surprise to see it."
As expected, Marcus Mariota will start Sunday's home opener versus the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis has served as the team's No. 3 quarterback. Quinn said the Commanders have not yet discussed signing a veteran backup for Mariota but that such a move could depend on what the specialists determine regarding Daniels, who was hurt on the final play of the first half of Sunday's 37-20 defeat.
It appeared that left guard Chris Paul inadvertently stepped on Daniels' left foot. That caused Daniels to stumble as he backed away after taking the snap from center. When Daniels reached down to prevent himself from falling, his left elbow bent inward. Medical personnel reset the elbow on the field.
The injury is the latest blow for Daniels and the Commanders, who have been hit hard by injuries since the start of last season. The team already has lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil, possibly for the season, with a torn triceps, and right guard Sam Cosmi entered the concussion protocol Sunday.
Also, Nick Cross stayed overnight in a Dallas hospital for what Quinn termed an internal injury, but the safety has since been released.
Daniels has now exited four of his past five games because of injuries -- twice because of a dislocated left elbow and once because he reinjured it. He missed 10 games last season, including two because of a sprained knee and one due to a hamstring injury.
On Sunday, Daniels completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards, but he hurt the Cowboys on the ground, as well, resembling the player who was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. Daniels rushed seven times for 69 yards.
"It sucks for him," Quinn said. "I know how much these guys put into it. So, when there are setbacks like this, you just want to stand by them."
Dr. Chetan Gohal, an orthopedic surgeon at New York University's Langone Orthopedic Center, has worked as a team physician for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Cubs as well as with numerous college players and other pro athletes. He told ESPN that in his experience a second dislocation could mean there are unstable ligaments, even if there's no tear.
He said the specialists will determine how stable the elbow feels and that will determine the next step.
Gohal, speaking generally and not specifically about Daniels, said if a patient's elbow feels unstable, that could warrant surgery, whether it be a repair of the ligaments or reconstructive surgery. In the latter scenario, Gohal said, a patient's "likelihood of dislocation is less" but that it would take a significant amount of time from which to recover.
He said if the elbow remains stable, then the timeline to return for an athlete would depend on the amount of pain and stability of the elbow, especially if it's a second occurrence.