The Commanders may be on the verge of getting Jayden Daniels back sooner rather than later, and that’s what makes this whole thing so hard to miss. Washington’s young quarterback is working his way back from a dislocated left elbow, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that surgery is “very much in play” - just not until after the year.
That puts Daniels in a tricky spot. The 2024 No. 2 overall pick is trying to push through and help Washington compete, but he’s also walking a line that comes with real danger.
His desire to get back on the field says plenty about him as a leader. The bigger question is when the team steps in and protects him from himself.
The contrast with the Giants and Jaxson Dart is pretty stark.
Dart’s injury story moved in the opposite direction. He was originally listed as questionable after getting hurt in New York’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and Schefter’s colleague Jordan Raanan reported that he even tried to reenter the game in the first half. At first, it looked like the Giants had dodged the worst of it, with Dart believed to have suffered an MCL sprain.
Then the picture changed fast. More testing led to a left knee procedure that will keep him out through 2026.
New York then moved to bring in the Minnesota Vikings’ third-string QB, J.J. McCarthy, to fill the void.
That’s why the two situations land so differently. The Giants appear to be looking down the road, even if it means taking a hit now. Dart is only 23, and New York is treating that like the priority it is: keep the long-term asset intact.
Washington, meanwhile, is running a much riskier play. Daniels will wear a brace for the rest of the campaign, but he still won’t be at 100 percent and could do more damage to his arm. And for Commanders fans, that should sound uncomfortably familiar.
A little more than a decade ago, Robert Griffin III tried to play through a knee injury as a rookie in 2012. He wore a brace, kept going with a noticeable limp, and still helped Washington reach the playoffs. But in a 24-14 Wild Card loss to the Seattle Seahawks, things got worse - much worse - as he went down with a torn LCL, ACL and meniscus.
Griffin never got back to the same explosive version of himself after that. He eventually lost his job in Washington and was out of the NFL by age 30.
In Other News...
Giants Quarterback Shakeup Could Change More Than Just The Depth Chart
The Giants quarterback room looks different now after the club acquired J.J. McCarthy from the Vikings, a move that says as much about the direction of the offense as it does about the depth chart. New York sees McCarthy as a better fit for its system than the other options on hand, and his arrival comes at a time when the staff is sorting through the ripple effects of Jaxson Darts injury.
For a team trying to settle on the right look for the weeks ahead, McCarthys athleticism gives the coaches something they can actually build around. His addition is expected to open a real competition for playing time, and the way New York handles that battle could shape more than just who is under center on game day. [Read more 🡒]
Former Giants Special-Teamer Just Found A Strange New Opportunity
Beau Brades path back onto an NFL roster took an unusual turn this week, with the former Giants special-teamer working out for both the Commanders and Bengals on the same day before landing a practice-squad deal in Cincinnati. Brade had spent time with New York mainly in a special teams role before being released during final cuts, and now hes getting another shot in a new spot as he tries to keep his career moving.
Cincinnatis interest in former Giants pieces did not stop with Brade, either. The Bengals also added former New York tight end Tanner Hudson to their active roster the same day, a reminder that the leagues roster churn can quickly turn a former Giant into somebody elses depth option. For Brade, the immediate task is straightforward enough: stick around, earn trust on the fringe of the roster and turn a brief workout circuit into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Face A Real Tyrone Tracy Jr. Roster Decision
The Giants have already shown they are willing to make bold roster moves, shipping out J.J. McCarthy and parting ways with Odell Beckham Jr. in a clear sign they are not treating the 53-man roster as something to protect for its own sake. That backdrop makes Tyrone Tracy Jr. a name worth watching, especially with the running back still on the roster and the team taking a hard look at how its backfield fits together now and going forward.
Tracys place in that picture is not as settled as it looked not long ago. He has drawn attention for his role, his age, and the way he has performed, while the depth chart behind him gives the Giants options if they decide to keep reshaping the group. Miami has even been floated as a possible destination if New York does entertain a deal, which leaves Tracy in the middle of a question the Giants may not be able to put off much longer. [Read more 🡒]