The Commanders leader Dan Quinn has admitted he shares a portion of the fault for a serious ailment to the squad’s quarterback, Daniels.
Particulars of the Harm and Context
Daniels, who had among the best rookie campaigns in history last season, sustained a dislocated left elbow in Sunday’s defeat to the Seahawks. Even though Daniels throws with his dominant arm, the injury has placed his campaign in doubt. The injury was significant enough that the TV coverage avoided showing repeats and several players looked away as Daniels was treated by team doctors.
Criticism and Coach’s Response
Quinn faced scrutiny as many believed Daniels should not have been on the playing surface to begin with. The incident occurred in the final period with the Commanders behind 38-7, rendering a comeback improbable. It is typical in such circumstances for clubs to put in their reserve QB to prevent injuries to their first-string player.
“I understand. I’ve been reflecting about it nonstop, too, and, wow, I missed it,” he said of his choice to keep Daniels in the match. “This is 100% on me.”
Aftermath and Team Outlook
Mariota will be the Commanders’ primary QB going forward, but he will lead a team in disarray. After reaching the conference title game last season thanks to Daniels’s brilliance, the team have struggled this season. They also lost defensive back Lattimore (torn ACL) and pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey (broken collarbone) on Sunday, and have a number of other key players on the injury list. The Washington squad are 3-6 on the season, and it would require a massive turnaround for the team to reach the playoffs.
