Commanders coach takes the blame for Daniels injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is set for a spell on the sidelines after dislocating his left elbow during Sunday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Daniels was taken out of the game with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when he was sacked at the Seahawks’ four-yard line. At the time, the Commanders were trailing 38-7 and had no realistic route back into the game.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said that he regretted not taking Daniels out of the game before the injury.

“I just missed it,” Quinn said. “That is 100% on me.”

Quinn revealed that they had decided not to call any plays in which the quarterback needed to run, reducing the risk of a sacking and potential injury. But speaking on Monday Quinn admitted that Daniels’ skill set means that he was always likely to use his legs to create opportunities for the offense.

“Honestly, that’s where I missed it,” Quinn explained. “Of course he scrambled. It’s Jayden. It’s what he’s special at.”

He continued: “The hindsight part is the hardest one... That’s what I think about all night and nonstop.”

ESPN has reported that Daniels was pressured on 51% of his dropbacks against Seattle, the highest figure of his NFL career to date. He was hit 14 by the Seahawks defense, a punishing evening for the young quarterback who has already suffered a series of injuries this year.

Earlier this season he was hit 17 times against the Green Bay Packers and eventually succumbed to a knee sprain in the fourth quarter. He also suffered a hamstring injury after being tackled in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys.

“It’s players, it’s coaches, it’s all of us, man,” Quinn said of the Commanders’ struggles. “We’re capable of playing these calls and playing them better. And I’m certain of it. My belief in the players is high, in the staff is high.”

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