After recovering from knee and thigh injuries earlier in the season, Daniels’ injury woes continued in Week 10 when he dislocated his left elbow late in Washington’s loss to Seattle. He didn’t suffer any ligament damage or require surgery, but Daniels has been out for four weeks now.
Marcus Mariota will start his third straight game Sunday against the Denver Broncos in place of Daniels (sixth overall this season). In seven games, Mariota has completed 92 of 140 passes for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Washington has only won one of its starters.
Before his third injury, Daniels was 102 of 168 for 1,184 yards, eight TDs and two picks in six starts, adding 262 yards and two scores on 54 rushing attempts.
At 3-8, Washington is closer to the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft than a wild card berth. A loss to Denver would seal the team’s eighth winless season in nine years.
Does Daniels really want to come back in the losing campaign and risk further injury? The quarterback said earlier this week that he was in the game.
“If I’m out there, man, I’m going to give it my all,” Daniels told reporters at a charity event. “You want to go out and play, as a competitor. And I am.”
Washington will start against Denver without Daniels – perhaps for the last time this season – from Northwest Stadium at 8:20 PM ET.