No explanation will be good enough.
The Washington Commanders will explain that, after Jayden Daniels had been out injured for a while, this was meant to get him one more good drive.
But the Commanders were down 38-7 with less than 10 minutes to play. Daniels is their franchise quarterback, a guy who has been injured already this year,
This is the franchise that lost Robert Griffin III’s peak ability to injuries that maybe never had to happen.
Why was Daniels in the game?
Teams across sports leave their stars in too long. It happens in the NBA, in MLB, and certainly in the NFL.
But in this sport, where seasons end at a moment’s notice on collisions and contact that can’t be avoided, it’s inexplicable.
There was just no reason for Daniels — or any starters — to be in the game at that point. https://t.co/gI1p6EMYpJ
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) November 3, 2025
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Even if the odds of an injury are only a couple percent, that’s too much. Seasons and careers can be derailed, and for what? To put together a touchdown drive to pull within 38-14 in a game that’s all but been rubberstamped as a loss already?
It was already an ugly night for the Commanders.
Terry McLaurin was reinjured a week ago and didn’t play in this one. Luke McCaffrey was hurt on the opening kickoff. They allowed Sam Darnold to complete his first 17 passes and put up 38 points.
The last, last, last thing that could happen would be to allow for a needless injury.
But that’s what happened.
Daniels’ teammates surrounded him and had tears in their eyes. His left arm was immobilized in a bulky cast almost immediately. Clearly, the odd landing he took had greatly injured his non-throwing arm.
There’s no telling how long he might be out. There’s no telling if this impacts his future.
All that’s clear is that Daniels should’ve been on the sideline, licking his wounds and preparing for a bounceback in the second half of the season.
Instead, his season might’ve ended while trying to climb an impossible, 31-point deficit mountain.
That’s a shame.
