Washington Head Coach Accepts Responsibility for Keeping Daniels in Contest Prior to Significant Injury
The Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has admitted he shares a portion of the blame for a serious injury to the team’s quarterback, Daniels.
Particulars of the Injury and Situation
Daniels, who enjoyed one of the greatest first-year performances of all time the previous year, sustained a dislocated elbow joint in Sunday’s defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. Although Daniels passes with his dominant arm, the injury has left his campaign in doubt. The condition was significant enough that the TV coverage did not show replays and several athletes looked away as Daniels was treated by medical staff.
Backlash and Leader’s Reaction
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 trailing 38-7, rendering a comeback improbable. It is common in these situations for teams to put in their backup quarterback to avoid injuries to their first-string player.
“I get that. I’ve been thinking about it nonstop, too, and, wow, I erred,” Quinn said of his decision to keep Daniels in the match. “That is 100% my fault.”
Fallout and Team Prospects
Mariota will be the team’s primary QB going forward, but he will lead a team in turmoil. After making the NFC championship game last season thanks to Daniels’s brilliance, the team have faced difficulties currently. They also saw injuries to defensive back Lattimore (torn ACL) and pass-catcher McCaffrey (broken collarbone) on Sunday, and have a host of other starters on injured reserve. The Commanders are 3-6 so far, and it would require a huge turnaround for the club to make the postseason.
