Commanders to sit Daniels for rest of season

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that the team is shutting down quarterback Jayden Daniels, according to ESPN's John Keim.

Quinn added that Daniels was unlikely to be cleared for Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He'll also miss the Commanders' Christmas Day game against the Dallas Cowboys and the regular-season finale versus Philadelphia.

Daniels missed the Commanders' 29-21 win over the New York Giants on Sunday as he continued to rehab a left elbow injury. He was re-evaluated Monday and wasn't cleared by the team's medical staff, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"He's not happy he's going to be out, but that's where we're at," Quinn said, per Keim. Washington's coach declined to answer when asked whether the Commanders' 4-10 record factored into the decision to keep Daniels on the sideline.

Injuries have marred the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's second season. A knee sprain sustained against the Green Bay Packers caused him to miss two games. He also suffered a strained hamstring against the Cowboys that caused him to miss the following week.

Late in a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Daniels suffered a significant elbow injury that sidelined him for an additional three games.

Daniels will turn his focus toward supporting Marcus Mariota in Washington's final three contests.

The Commanders sported a 2-5 record with Daniels as a starter this season. He passed for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 61% completion rate. He also rushed for 278 yards and two scores.