The Washington Commanders’ quarterback situation shifted dramatically in early November 2025 when Jayden Daniels suffered a severe left elbow injury during the Week 9 Sunday Night Football loss to Seattle. Daniels dislocated his left elbow, left the field in an air cast, and was ruled out for the remainder of that game; the team subsequently placed him on an unclear timetable for return, with reports indicating he would miss “several games” and that an MRI was planned to determine full extent. As a result, veteran Marcus Mariota was or would be in line to start if Daniels needed additional time to heal, with organizational emphasis on evaluating the best long-term plan at the position. The injury prompted questions about Daniels’ durability and whether the team would consider further quarterback moves if his recovery extended into the later weeks of the season.