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, sources told ESPN.
Daniels visited specialists in New York and Los Angeles, and the overwhelming opinion was that playing with a brace was a viable option.
But there are doctors around the league who, despite not having examined Daniels, maintain that a player who dislocates his elbow twice — as Daniels has over the past 11 months — is at a higher risk suffering another dislocation, according to sources.
Daniels was a full participant in practice throughout the week, and Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough said Thursday that the third-year star would be a “full go” Sunday against the New York Giants.
Daniels, who missed the last two games after suffering the second dislocation to his elbow in Week 2, will play with the brace for the remainder of the season.
Blough stressed that there would be no limitations with Washington’s game plan, and Daniels said he can do everything necessary with the brace on, such as hand off and take snaps from center.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis will serve as Daniels’ backup Sunday, with Marcus Mariota ruled out because of a sprained MCL.
The Giants trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the Commanders could not put them away.
Jameis Winston threw a pair of touchdown passes, including a game-tying score to Malik Nabers with 1:43 to play and the Commanders’ ensuing drive died near midfield, so the two teams are going to overtime with the score tied at 27.
Jayden Daniels ran for two scores in the second half to stretch the Commanders’ lead to 14 points, but Winston finally found his form after struggling in the rain for much of the day.
He has thrown two scores to tight end Isaiah Likely in addition to the one to Nabers and is 28-of-44 for 283 yards overall.
