The Commanders were already looking like a shaky assignment for the Giants before Jayden Daniels got hurt. Now, with the star quarterback dealing with a dislocated left elbow from Week 2, Washington’s path only got tougher - and New York’s edge in the NFC East looks even clearer.
Dan Quinn said the initial X-rays showed no fractures and noted that Daniels will travel back with the team. The 2024 No. 2 overall pick will then go through more testing to determine how serious the injury is. Based on the diagnosis and Quinn’s comments, the quarterback could be sidelined for multiple games.
How long Daniels is out will come down to the imaging results and whether he chooses surgery. If he skips the operation and tries to return sooner, he would likely be playing with a brace. Either way, Washington’s situation gets uglier by the day.
Daniels also injured the same arm in the same way last season, so the Commanders may be especially cautious with him this time. That matters for a team that is already 0-2 and staring at another rough year. For the Giants, it could open the door to a significant advantage at the most important position in football.
When Daniels is healthy, he’s one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. His accuracy, mobility and football IQ make him a tough problem to solve, and he can cover up a lot of Washington’s flaws. New York knows that type of impact well with Jaxson Dart.
But Daniels is also the Commanders’ only real chance to stay afloat, much less hang around in a strong division. The issues run deeper than one injury. Washington’s defense remains a mess, and the offensive line is already dealing with damage, including left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who is recovering from a torn triceps.
That’s why avoiding Daniels would be such a boost for the Giants. New York was already the better team, and now the gap between these two clubs looks even wider. They seem to be moving in opposite directions.
If the Giants see Marcus Mariota in Week 5, that would still be a respectable backup to face - but the drop from Daniels is enormous, especially for New York. Daniels has beaten the Giants in all three of their meetings, completing 70.37 percent of his passes. He’s thrown for 668 yards against them, more than he has against any other opponent, and has added 147 rushing yards on 29 carries without scoring.
In Other News...
Eli Manning's Reaction Said Everything About The Giants' Jaxson Dart Worry
A replay on ESPNs ManningCast drew a familiar face back into the conversation Monday night when Eli Manning reacted with clear concern to Jaxson Darts knee injury. The former Ole Miss quarterback, now with the Giants, was hurt in a moment that immediately shifted attention from the game itself to what comes next for a team already trying to sort out its quarterback plans.
Dart is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, and Jameis Winston stepped in after the injury, finishing 11 of 27 for 111 yards with one interception. For New York, the timing is the issue as much as the injury, with the Giants and head coach John Harbaugh now needing to map out the next stretch while waiting to see how Dart responds. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Fans Immediately Had One Big Fear After Jaxson Dart Went Down
Jaxson Darts night took an early turn at SoFi Stadium when the Giants quarterback went down with a knee injury on the opening offensive drive of Monday Night Football. Dart was hit as he let a pass go, then limped off the field before being listed as questionable to return, putting a quick jolt into a game that had barely started.
Jameis Winston stepped in at quarterback, but for Giants fans the larger concern was immediate: any setback to Dart carries obvious weight for a team trying to find stability under center. Even before the training staff had much time to sort out the injury, the attention around the sideline had already shifted from the drive itself to what comes next for a young quarterback the Giants can least afford to lose for long. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Face A Bigger Jaxson Dart Concern Than This Game
Jaxson Darts early exit against the Rams quickly became the biggest storyline of the Giants Week 2 afternoon. The rookie quarterback went down with a knee injury in the first quarter, then was officially listed as questionable to return after leaving the field under his own power and heading to the medical tent.
Jameis Winston took over at quarterback, but the larger concern for New York is what Darts knee issue could mean beyond this one game. Anytime a young passer has to come off the field that early, the immediate result matters less than the next check on his health, and the Giants are left waiting for a clearer picture. [Read more 🡒]