Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has stated he shares a portion of the blame for a major ailment to the team’s quarterback, Daniels.
Details of the Injury and Context
Daniels, who had among the best rookie campaigns in history last season, suffered a displaced elbow joint in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Although Daniels throws with his dominant arm, the issue has placed his season in doubt. The condition was significant enough that the television broadcast avoided showing repeats and multiple players turned away as he was attended to by medical staff.
Criticism and Coach’s Response
Coach Quinn came under criticism as many believed the rookie ought not to have been on the playing surface in the first place. The incident happened in the final period with the Commanders trailing 38-7, rendering a recovery unlikely. It is typical in these situations for teams to put in their backup quarterback to prevent harm to their starter.
“I get that. I’ve been thinking about it constantly, too, and, man, I erred,” Quinn said of his choice to leave Daniels in the match. “That is 100% my fault.”
Fallout and Squad Prospects
Marcus Mariota will be the Commanders’ starting quarterback going forward, but he will guide a team in turmoil. Following making the NFC championship game last season behind the rookie’s brilliance, the team have faced difficulties currently. They additionally saw injuries to defensive back Lattimore (ACL tear) and pass-catcher McCaffrey (collarbone fracture) on game day, and have a host of other key players on the injury list. The Washington squad are 3-6 so far, and it would require a huge turnaround for the team to reach the playoffs.
