The Washington Commanders‘ Week 9 Sunday Night Football matchup did not go nearly as planned. After missing the last game, the Commanders welcomed back second-year QB Jayden Daniels. Unfortunately, Washington would get boatraced by the Seattle Seahawks 38-7.
Despite the massive lead, head coach Dan Quinn and the commanders kept Daniels in the game as time ticked down in the fourth quarter. To their horror, the young quarterback went down and suffered an awful injury to his left arm, knocking him out of garbage time and what looks to be much longer. Fans let Quinn and the Commanders have it after losing their quarterback during meaningless snaps.
Fans Come Down Hard on Commanders After Jayden Daniels’ Injury in the 4th Quarter
While the return of Daniels to the Commanders’ offense was supposed to be a boost, Washington just couldn’t find their footing as the Seahawks dominated them on Sunday Night Football. Given the score, it was an interesting decision to keep Daniels in the game as he was returning from a right hamstring injury.
With just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, as the Commanders were driving down the field, Daniels was taken down in the backfield for a sack. However, during the tackle, the second-year quarterback’s left arm got caught awkwardly under his body and appeared to buckle at his elbow.
Given his issues with injuries so far this season and the fact that the Sunday Night Football game was well out of reach, fans let the Commanders hear it on social media. Washington D.C. sports reporter Kevin Sheehan said on X, “Malpractice having him out there. Wow.”
Malpractice having him out there. Wow.
— Kevin Sheehan (@kevinsheehanDC) November 3, 2025
Fellow D.C. sports fan and ESPN icon Scott Van Pelt chimed in on Sheehan’s post, saying, “Asked…Why is he in this game ? as the drive began.”
Asked …why is he in this game ? as the drive began.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) November 3, 2025
Their sentiments were felt across the league, as fans could not believe the Commanders allowed their franchise quarterback to remain in the game under such circumstances. Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho said what everyone was thinking, “Down by 31 with 8 minutes left, and an already hampered quarterback, why is Jayden Daniels still in the game. Praying for the young man. It’s been a hard year for him and Washington.”
Down by 31 with 8 minutes left, and a already hampered quarterback, why is Jayden Daniels still in the game.
Praying for the young man. It’s been a hard year for him and Washington.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) November 3, 2025
While some might consider it an overreaction, given the severity of the injury is still unknown, some Commanders fans couldn’t help but liken the devastating injury to the end of former Washington QB Robert Griffin III’s injury in 2012, with this fan posting a GIF of the former QB and saying, “WHY IS JAYDEN DANIELS IN THE GAME DOWN 31!?”
WHY IS JAYDEN DANIELS IN THE GAME DOWN 31!? pic.twitter.com/0S2FNPrEs7
— nevermind. (@devontaporter) November 3, 2025
Many were quick to criticize the Commanders’ coaching staff. However, Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud did rationalize the moment for many, saying, “Head coaches don’t always protect their players, especially QBs, when they have the chance. QBs will always want to finish the game with their guys. Win or lose. It’s understandable. But somebody has to protect them when the issue is decided.”
While he agrees with the sentiment that the Commanders should’ve gone ahead and taken Daniels out, it’s hard for a quarterback, especially one who has been out for a few weeks, not to want to finish the night with his team. Now the Commanders will hope the severity of the injury is not career-changing for the face of their franchise. Based on PFSN’s QB Impact metric, Daniels is the 23rd-ranked quarterback in the league with an impact score of 74.3