Will Jayden Daniels need elbow surgery? Experts explain ‘unusual’ reinjury

When Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, 2025, the rehab and treatment plan was simple.

But now that he has suffered the same gruesome-looking injury again, this time on Sunday, Sept. 20, against the Dallas Cowboys, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has a hefty decision to confront, according to orthopedic surgeons who specialize in elbow injuries. Daniels must weigh whether to surgically repair the issue, which would effectively end his season, or to rehabilitate it as he did last year.

“He’s going to have some tough choices to make,” Houston Methodist Hospital’s Dr. David Litner told USA TODAY Sports.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said X-rays for Daniels came back negative, which means he avoided bone damage for a second time. Dislocations that occur without bone damage are referred to as “simple” and almost never require surgery. But dislocations result in ligament damage, which creates residual looseness and instability in the affected area, Litner said.

“They’re thinking ‘Well, will surgery be able to solve this?’” NYU Langone sports orthopedic surgeon Dr. Laith Jazrawi, who specializes in the shoulder and elbow, told USA TODAY Sports.

Daniels tripped while falling…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/