Daniels Avoids Surgery, IR Off Table

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said Friday that surgery is not on the table for Jayden Daniels' dislocated left elbow and that the club has not discussed placing him on injured reserve, ESPN and NFL.com reported. Peters told 106.7 The Fan's Junkies the focus is getting Daniels back on the field, with the timeline still to be determined.

That Friday checkpoint is the board. Soft fantasy note only: leave Daniels on the IR stash watch list, but do not invent a Week 4 lock from one radio hit.

Daniels suffered a second dislocation of his nonthrowing elbow on the final play of the first half in Sunday's 37-20 loss at Dallas. He visited specialists over three days. A source close to the situation told ESPN surgery was always a last option, and Peters confirmed that stance Friday morning.

Commanders fans get the best available Friday news after another ugly injury chapter. Soft fantasy note only: Marcus Mariota is the start Sunday against Seattle until Washington prints a different depth chart.

If Daniels stays off IR, he could return inside four weeks. An IR stint would force at least four missed games. Washington's next three are Seattle, Indianapolis, and the Giants, NFL.com noted.

Daniels will rehab and strengthen the elbow and wear a brace. Doctors have said there is no guarantee it will not dislocate again, a source told ESPN, but imaging left them encouraged after the second occurrence. Soft fantasy note only: brace talk is not a snap-count guarantee. Wait for the practice report.

After a 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year season and an NFC Championship run, Daniels has missed heavy time the last two years. In six quarters this season he threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and added 100 rushing yards on 12 carries before the Dallas injury.

Quinn already pointed at Mariota for Sunday after Monday's availability talk, and Peters' Friday radio hit aligns with that short-term plan while keeping Daniels off the four-game IR clock. Soft fantasy note only: if you need a streaming QB, Mariota is the name this week, not a guess on Daniels' brace timeline.

Commanders board

Peters Fri: surgery not on table; IR not discussed.

Mariota starts Sunday vs Seattle at Northwest Stadium in Landover. Daniels week to week on rehab.

Next three: SEA, IND, NYG.

Fan closer

Take the no-surgery stamp, start Mariota this week, and wait for a real practice ramp before you spend on Daniels' return.