Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has admitted he shares a portion of the fault for a major injury to the team’s signal-caller, Daniels.
Particulars of the Harm and Context
Daniels, who had among the best first-year performances of all time last season, suffered a dislocated elbow joint in Sunday’s defeat to the Seahawks. Even though the quarterback passes with his dominant arm, the injury has left his season in doubt. The injury was significant enough that the television broadcast did not show replays and multiple athletes turned away as he was attended to by team doctors.
Backlash and Coach’s Response
Quinn faced scrutiny as numerous felt the rookie should not have been on the field in the first place. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter with the Commanders behind 38-7, making a recovery improbable. It is common in these circumstances for teams to insert their reserve QB to avoid injuries to their starter.
“I understand. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop, too, and, man, I erred,” he said of his decision to leave Daniels in the game. “That is 100% my fault.”
Fallout and Team Outlook
Mariota will be the team’s starting quarterback going forward, but he will guide a roster in turmoil. Following making the NFC championship game last season thanks to Daniels’s excellence, the team have struggled this season. They additionally lost defensive back Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey (broken collarbone) on game day, and have a number of other starters on injured reserve. The Commanders are 3-6 so far, and it would take a huge turnaround for the club to make the playoffs.
