Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels faces a complex decision after suffering a second dislocation of his left elbow, raising questions regarding the best approach to treatment and his immediate playing future. Daniels, who earned the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, first dislocated his left elbow on November 2, 2025, in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury was initially treated with non-surgical rehab, allowing him to return the following season. However, he sustained the same injury again on September 20 during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The recurrence of Daniels’ elbow dislocation has presented a challenging situation for both the player and the Commanders’ medical staff. According to specialists, elbow dislocations without accompanying bone fractures—referred to as “simple” dislocations—typically do not require surgery. X-rays from Daniels’ most recent injury reportedly showed no bone damage, an encouraging sign. However, the injury inherently involves ligament damage, which can lead to joint instability, increasing the risk of further dislocations.
Orthopedic experts note that re-dislocation of the elbow is rare in athletes, with most cases instead leading to stiffness and loss of mobility. Dr. David Litner from Houston Methodist Hospital suggested that the repeated injury may indicate the ligaments did not fully heal after the initial incident. “He’s going to have some tough choices to make,” Litner said, emphasizing the difficulty in deciding between surgical intervention or continuing with rehabilitation.
The injury occurred on Daniels’ non-throwing arm when he fell backward with his arm in a vulnerable position. Dr. Francis Alberta, an orthopedic surgeon, described the mechanism of injury as “textbook” for elbow dislocations, though he stressed the rarity of such a recurrence. The fact that it is on his non-throwing side shifts the treatment considerations somewhat, according to NYU Langone’s Dr. Laith Jazrawi, who noted that surgical repair would be more urgently considered if the throwing arm were involved.
Daniels and the Commanders are evaluating whether bracing and physiotherapy could sufficiently stabilize the joint to allow him to continue playing through the season, with surgery postponed if possible. The quarterback’s mobility and running ability, which are critical parts of his game, could be affected not only physically but also psychologically by concerns over reinjury. “Maybe he doesn’t take off as soon as he would normally because he’s worried,” Alberta explained.
Previous attempts at rehabilitation following Daniels’ initial dislocation proved insufficient, as his return to play led to re-injury, forcing the team to shut him down for the final four games of the previous season. Now, with a second dislocation, the options include immediate surgery, delayed surgery after the season, or conservative management through bracing and muscle strengthening.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner noted that Daniels could potentially play through the injury, as he had done during his own career, but experts caution that the risk of recurrence and long-term instability must be carefully weighed. The Commanders’ final treatment plan will consider Daniels’ preferences, the medical assessments, and the team’s tolerance for injury-related risk as they aim to secure his health and effectiveness on the field in the coming weeks.