Frankly, the Washington Commanders didn't look like a formidable foe before star quarterback Jayden Daniels went down with a dislocated left elbow in Week 2. His injury in the club's 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys only makes them more vulnerable, though, especially to a rising New York Giants squad.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that initial X-rays revealed no fractures, adding that Daniels will travel back with the team. From there, the 2024 No. 2 overall pick will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. The diagnosis and the tone of the former's comments suggest the latter could miss multiple games.
The extent of Daniels' potential absence will depend on the imaging results and whether he decides to undergo surgery. Expect to see him with a brace if the signal-caller opts not to go under the knife and aims to return sooner rather than later. Either way, Washington's uphill battle gets even steeper, and the gap between them and the Giants widens.
Gap between Giants and Commanders grows after Jayden Daniels' elbow injury
Daniels notably suffered the same injury to the same arm last season; bearing that in mind, the Commanders could be extra cautious with him. They're also 0-2 and headed for another lost campaign. Put two and two together, and the G-Men might suddenly have a major advantage over an NFC East rival at football's most important position.
While health, or lack thereof, has been a concern for Daniels, he's one of the NFL's most talented dual-threat passers when right. His combination of accuracy, mobility and a high football IQ is tough to stop. Having him under center can mask many of Washington's roster blemishes, as Jaxson Dart does in New York.
For better or worse, Daniels is the Commanders' only hope of staying afloat, let alone competing in one of the league's better divisions. Their problems go far beyond him. The defense is just as bad as it was in 2025, when it ranked dead last and 27th in yards and points allowed per game, respectively. An offensive line that already had questions is banged up, including stalwart left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who's recovering from a torn triceps.
Avoiding Jayden Daniels would be a huge break for the Giants
Big Blue was already a cut above Washington, but Daniels' latest setback amplifies the difference. These are two organizations that seem to be trending in polar opposite directions.
At this rate, New York may face veteran QB Marcus Mariota when these NFC East rivals meet in Week 5. He's one of the best backups you can have, yet the downgrade from Daniels to him can't be overstated — specifically for the Giants.
Daniels has won all three of his head-to-head meetings with the Giants, posting a stellar 70.37 completion percentage. He's thrown for more passing yards (668) against them than any other opponent and has also added 147 scoreless rushing yards on 29 attempts.
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