Washington Head Coach Takes Responsibility for Keeping Daniels in Game Prior to Serious Harm
Washington Commanders leader Coach Quinn has admitted he shares a portion of the fault for a major injury to the team’s signal-caller, Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Context
Daniels, who enjoyed among the best rookie campaigns in history the previous year, suffered a dislocated elbow joint in the Sunday loss to the Seahawks. Although the quarterback throws with his right arm, the issue has left his season in doubt. The condition was serious enough that the TV coverage did not show replays and several players looked away as he was attended to by team doctors.
Backlash and Coach’s Reaction
Coach Quinn came under scrutiny as many felt Daniels ought not to have been on the field to begin with. The injury happened in the fourth quarter with the Commanders behind 38-7, making a recovery improbable. It is typical in such circumstances for teams to put in their reserve QB to avoid injuries to their starter.
“I get that. I’ve been thinking about it constantly, too, and, man, I erred,” he said of his choice to leave Daniels in the match. “This is 100% my fault.”
Fallout and Squad Prospects
Mariota will be the Commanders’ primary QB going forward, but he will lead a team in disarray. Following making the NFC championship game last season behind Daniels’s brilliance, the team have struggled this season. They additionally lost defensive back Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and pass-catcher Luke McCaffrey (collarbone fracture) on Sunday, and have a host of other key players on injured reserve. The Commanders are 3-6 on the season, and it would require a massive reversal for the club to make the playoffs.
