It wasn’t just the gruesome elbow injury Jayden Daniels suffered earlier this month that completely derailed the Washington Commanders’ season. The second-year quarterback has been gutting through multiple injuries, whether it’s a hamstring strain, a knee sprain or a dislocated elbow.
In an exclusive interview with PFSN, former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann touched on Daniels’ outlook and some of the comparisons that have been drawn to Robert Griffin III.
Joe Theismann Offers Sound Advice to Commanders’ Jayden Daniels
Quarterback to quarterback, Theismann knows how devastating an injury could be. Theismann, who spent 12 seasons as a quarterback for Washington, suffered a career-ending leg fracture in November 1985 against the New York Giants.
Four decades later, Theismann has a strong relationship with the Commanders’ next franchise signal-caller and, of course, wants nothing but the best for the 24-year-old as he rebounds from a ghastly injury of his own.
“Just get healthy,” Theismann said in the interview. Theismann was in Spain coaching a flag football game for U.S. military members in an event presented by USAA.
“I think it was a knee, and then it was the hamstring, and now it’s the elbow, and it seems one thing after another, after another. We all go through periods of time where we get injured, but there’s no hurry to get him back. There’s no rush to get him back.”
Theismann commended the job done by Marcus Mariota in his two starts for the Commanders since the injury. They’ve lost both games, including this past weekend in overtime to the Miami Dolphins, but Mariota has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 426 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He’s also rushed for 71 yards.
Starting receiver Terry McLaurin has played just four games for the Commanders this season while being severely limited by a quad injury. He returned briefly in October, but ultimately suffered a setback and was placed on injured reserve.
“I think it’s tough,” Theismann said. “You want to compete, you want to help your team, you want to be out there. But risking injury, especially so young in Jayden’s career, you don’t want any permanent injuries that affect him going forward because he’s such an exceptional talent.”
Theismann Shoots on Daniels’ Comparisons to Another Former Washington QB
The Commanders have to tote the line with how they manage Daniels’ return. The last thing they want is a repeat with another former No. 2 overall pick at the quarterback position.
Like Daniels, Griffin was the second overall pick for Washington in 2012. Leading up to his first playoff appearance, Griffin had been battling a knee sprain, and there was some speculation and controversy around whether or not he should’ve been allowed to play in the Wild Card game against the Seattle Seahawks. In another eerie similarity, Daniels’ elbow injury also occurred in a game against the Seahawks.
Head coach Mike Shanahan and Washington’s medical staff cleared Griffin to play. While trying to gather a bobbled snap in the fourth quarter, Griffin’s knee buckled, and he tore his ACL, LCL, and meniscus. After a stellar rookie campaign, Griffin was never the same player.
It didn’t take long for comparisons to get brought to light by fans. Even Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, had to take to the internet in an effort to stop fans from manifesting that outcome.
“I think that’s a personal thing,” said Theismann. “I think Jayden’s mom is wonderful the way she’s approaching it, and I mean, you’re talking about different eras, different times, different decisions.”
For Theismann, though, it’s simple: “Unfortunate It’s unfortunate that Robert got hurt, and it’s unfortunate that Jayden got hurt.” That’s how he looks at the current situation.