Washington Commanders leader Coach Quinn has admitted he shares some the blame for a serious injury to the team’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Situation
Jayden Daniels, who had one of the greatest rookie campaigns in history the previous year, suffered a displaced elbow joint in the Sunday defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. Although Daniels throws with his dominant arm, the issue has left his season uncertain. The injury was significant enough that the TV coverage avoided showing repeats and several players looked away as Daniels was treated by team doctors.
Backlash and Leader’s Reaction
Quinn faced scrutiny as many believed the rookie should not have been on the field to begin with. The injury happened in the final period with the Commanders trailing 38-7, rendering a comeback unlikely. It is common in these situations for teams to put in their backup quarterback to avoid injuries to their first-string player.
“I understand. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop, too, and, wow, I missed it,” he said of his decision to keep Jayden in the game. “That is 100% my fault.”
Aftermath and Team Outlook
Marcus Mariota will be the team’s starting quarterback going forward, but he will lead a roster in turmoil. Following reaching the conference title game last season thanks to the rookie’s brilliance, the franchise have struggled this season. They additionally saw injuries to cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ACL tear) and pass-catcher McCaffrey (broken collarbone) on Sunday, and have a host of other starters on the injury list. The Commanders are 3-6 on the season, and it would take a huge reversal for the team to reach the postseason.
