Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels opted not to have surgery immediately after suffering a left elbow injury in the team's loss in Week 2 to the Dallas Cowboys. Daniels sought advice from team doctors before making his decision. Daniels is expected to wear a brace on the left elbow (non-throwing side) when he returns to play this season.
Washington and Daniels hope the brace curbs any worsening of the elbow before the end of their season. He could decide to have surgery at the end of the season. Per Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, there is a contract complication between the Commanders and Daniels at play this season.
Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, is eligible for a contract extension as soon as the regular season ends. More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Two NFL sources told Jones that immediate surgery might be in Daniels’ best interest for a new contract. The Commanders will want to know Daniels is fully healthy before paying him a giant quarterback deal around the $70 million per year range.
However, one team executive suggested Daniels' choice to return might help him in negotiations. The Commanders could have a problem with the locker room if players see Daniels fight through an injury and are punished in contract negotiations for it. "The team would look bad if he guts it out, plays even just adequately and they don’t extend him," the source told Jones.
"It takes two to tango but they’d probably have a problem with the fanbase and the locker room if they took that route.” Because the injury is to his non-throwing arm, Daniels shouldn't be affected as a passer. However, it remains to be seen how mobile the quarterback will be when he returns with a brace. One of Daniels' greatest strengths is his ability to scramble.
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