Washington Commanders leader Dan Quinn has admitted he bears some the blame for a major ailment to the team’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Context
Jayden Daniels, who enjoyed among the best rookie campaigns of all time last season, suffered a displaced elbow joint in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Although Daniels passes with his dominant arm, the injury has left his season in doubt. The injury was serious enough that the TV coverage did not show replays and multiple players turned away as Daniels was attended to by team doctors.
Criticism and Coach’s Reaction
Quinn faced criticism as numerous felt Daniels should not have been on the playing surface to begin with. The injury happened in the fourth quarter with the Washington behind 38-7, rendering a comeback unlikely. It is typical in such circumstances for teams to put in their backup quarterback to prevent injuries to their first-string player.
“I understand. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop, too, and, wow, I erred,” Quinn said of his decision to leave Daniels in the game. “This is 100% my fault.”
Fallout and Squad Prospects
Marcus Mariota will be the team’s primary QB from now on, but he will lead a roster in turmoil. After reaching the conference title game last season behind Daniels’s brilliance, the franchise have struggled this season. They additionally lost defensive back Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and pass-catcher McCaffrey (broken collarbone) on game day, and have a host of other starters on the injury list. The Commanders are three wins and six losses on the season, and it would require a huge reversal for the club to make the postseason.
