Is Jayden Daniels Coming Back? What Fantasy Owners Need to Know About Commanders QB Status Ahead of Week 13

In the Washington Commanders Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a devastating arm injury.

As he landed on the ground, being tackled by a defender, Daniels landed on his non-throwing elbow in an awkward manner, resulting in his arm bending back and snapping. Tests revealed that Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow.

Though he suffered a significant injury, Daniels was never place on injured reserve, indicating that he would possibly return back this season. Due to the elbow injury, Daniels has missed the last two games and the team said it would be a ‘long shot’ for him to play this Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Daniels said if he is healthy enough he will play this season.

Daniels told reporters:

“Day-by-day process, I gotta go out there and play football. If I’m back out there and I’m healthy and ready to go, I want to be out there.”

Jayden Daniels (left elbow) on possibly returning this season, via @BenStandig:

“If I’m back out there and I’m healthy and ready to go, I want to be out there.”pic.twitter.com/l2vgUH5fUr

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 25, 2025

Who Will Start For Commanders Sunday If Jayden Daniels is Inactive?

If Jayden Daniels misses this Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, backup Marcus Mariota will get the nod. He’s started the last two games for Daniels with Daniels out with his elbow injury.

Mariota has appeared in seven total games while starting in five this season for Washington. Daniels had two other injuries earlier this season, suffering a left knee sprain and a hamstring strain. Mariota is 1-4 in games he’s started this season, throwing for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

With the Commanders 3-8 and in third place in the NFC East division, they may want to be cautious about bringing Daniels back with nothing really to play for this late in the season. The Commanders haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs yet technically, but could be in the coming weeks.

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