Washington Head Coach Takes Blame for Leaving Daniels in Game Before Serious Harm
Washington Commanders leader Coach Quinn has admitted he shares some the blame for a serious ailment to the team’s quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Context
Daniels, who had among the best rookie campaigns in history the previous year, suffered a displaced left elbow in the Sunday defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. Although the quarterback throws with his dominant arm, the issue has left his season uncertain. The injury was significant enough that the TV coverage did not show replays and several players looked away as Daniels was attended to by team doctors.
Criticism and Coach’s Reaction
Coach Quinn faced scrutiny as many felt Daniels should not have been on the field in the first place. The incident occurred in the final period with the Commanders behind 38-7, rendering a comeback improbable. It is common in these situations for clubs to put in their backup quarterback to prevent injuries to their starter.
“I understand. I’ve been reflecting about it nonstop, too, and, wow, I missed it,” Quinn remarked of his choice to keep Daniels in the match. “This is 100% on me.”
Fallout and Team Outlook
Marcus Mariota will be the team’s primary QB going forward, but he will lead a roster in turmoil. Following making the NFC championship game the prior year thanks to Daniels’s brilliance, the team have struggled this season. They also saw injuries to defensive back Lattimore (ACL tear) and pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey (collarbone fracture) on Sunday, and have a number of other starters on injured reserve. The Commanders are 3-6 on the season, and it would require a massive reversal for the team to make the postseason.
