Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was carted off the field at halftime of Sunday’s Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys after dislocating his left elbow on the final play of the first half.
Daniels’ injury occurred when he pulled away from center, tripped, and used his left arm to brace himself as he fell. The elbow hyperextended in an unnatural direction, prompting medical staff to immediately attend to him. He was replaced by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota for the remainder of the game.
The Commanders lost 37-20 to the Cowboys, dropping to 0-2 on the season. Dallas improved to 1-1.
Immediate aftermath and medical assessment
Daniels had completed 11 of 17 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown before exiting. He also rushed for 69 yards. The injury marks the second time in two seasons that Daniels has suffered an elbow dislocation, having missed four games in 2025 due to a similar injury.
Dr. David Chao, a former NFL team physician, reviewed video of the injury and confirmed it was a clear left elbow dislocation. Chao noted that joint dislocations often become easier to re-injure after the initial tear, as the ligaments heal in a "looser" state.
Reaction from observers
Fox Sports analyst Tom Brady, in his third season as a commentator, reacted audibly to the injury during the broadcast, saying, "Oh [expletive]," before correcting himself. His unfiltered response quickly gained attention on social media, with many viewers echoing similar reactions to the gruesome injury.
Cowboys’ Durant steps on teammate during play
During the second quarter, Cowboys cornerback Cobie Durant was stepped on by teammate safety Markquese Bell while both were down on the field. Durant left the game and did not return. The incident occurred as Durant attempted to defend a deep pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin.
Commanders’ offensive struggles continue
The loss extended Washington’s early-season struggles, following a 24-22 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Daniels’ injury further complicates the Commanders’ offensive outlook, as they now rely on Mariota while awaiting updates on Daniels’ recovery timeline.
The team has not provided additional details on the severity of Daniels’ injury beyond the dislocation. Further medical evaluation will determine his availability for future games.