Jayden Daniels will take the field Sunday against the New York Giants with a brace on his left elbow, but the injury risk remains a concern among doctors around the league, according to ESPN. Daniels has dislocated the same elbow twice in 11 months, first in Week 10 of the 2025 season and again in Week 2 of this season, and doctors around the NFL believe that history raises the risk of another dislocation, per ESPN.
Some doctors around the league told ESPN it is a matter of when, not if, Daniels injures the elbow again. Washington is proceeding with Daniels as its starter anyway, equipping him with a brace that he will wear for the rest of the season.
What The Team And Doctors Have Said
Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said Thursday that Daniels would be a “full go” against the Giants and stressed there would be no limitations placed on Washington’s game plan, according to ESPN. That stands in contrast to the outside medical opinion cited by ESPN, which frames the injury risk as an ongoing structural concern rather than something the brace fully resolves.
He said he can perform every necessary quarterback function with the brace on, including taking snaps from center and handing off, per ESPN.
Who Replaces Him If Needed
Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as Daniels’ backup Sunday, according to ESPN.
Season Context And The Running Question
Daniels has finished only five games since the start of the 2025 season, according to Yahoo Sports. Before the second elbow dislocation, he opened the 2026 season with 100 rushing yards through his first two games, per the New York Post.
His track record against Sunday’s opponent is strong. Daniels is 3-0 in his career against the Giants, completing 70% of his passes with three touchdowns, no interceptions and 147 rushing yards in those meetings, according to the New York Post. The Post also raised the question of whether Daniels will be hesitant to run the ball given the risk to his left elbow, a factor that could shape how Washington uses him as a runner even with no official restrictions in place.
What’s Next
Daniels and the Commanders host the division-leading Giants on Sunday. The team’s backup plan also includes Marcus Mariota, who is ruled out of Sunday’s game with a sprained MCL.
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