Why Jayden Daniels is not playing vs Eagles today. Commanders give latest injury update

Commanders ruled out star QB Jayden Daniels for the season; Eagles favored to win in week 16 Commanders vs. Eagles

Published on: Dec 21, 2025, 01:34:33 IST

By Shirin Gupta

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Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels has been ruled out of the rest of the 2025 NFL season, including Week 16's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, after re-injuring his elbow.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Daniels was shut down after aggravating a left elbow injury sustained earlier in the season. Despite briefly returning in Week 14, the 2025 campaign will end early for the second-year quarterback as Washington prioritises his long-term health.

The move has significant implications for both teams, altering game dynamics and impacting Week 16 betting lines as the Eagles chase an NFC East title.

Season over for star QB

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Daniels will not play again in 2025. However, he will continue to practise with the team as he rehabs. Quinn described the decision as “part medical and part team,” aimed at preserving Daniels’s future after a season marked by injuries.

Daniels first recovered from the elbow dislocation he sustained against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 before reinjuring it against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14.

He also suffered from a hamstring strain and a knee sprain during the season, which kept him from playing in more than seven games in 2025.

The team will start veteran Marcus Mariota at center for the rest of the season, starting against the Eagles, after Washington was eliminated from playoff contention at 4-10.

The Commanders are a significant underdog in Week 16 because Mariota, who has occasionally filled in excellently, has also experienced inconsistency.

Odds shift for the Eagles

Daniel's absence has shifted the betting landscape dramatically. Washington opened as underdogs in Week 16, but with Daniels officially out, the Eagles are now favoured by around a touchdown at most sportsbooks. DraftKings has the Eagles at about -7, reflecting expectations that Philadelphia will dominate without the Commanders’ starter.

The betting line might have moved even more if Daniels had been cleared to play, given his dual-threat ability and dynamic playmaking. Instead, bettors and oddsmakers view the matchup as one where the Eagles have a clear edge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shirin Gupta
Shirin Gupta is a content producer with the Hindustan Times. She covers everything between politics, entertainment and sports at the US desk. Shirin got interested in political journalism during her time as a web editor at her college newspaper NCC News in Syracuse when she first started seeing the effects of national politics in life of her fellow colleagues. Shirin has worked on a wide range of fast-moving and developing stories locally when she was at NCC editing accessible reports for the audience. Her current role requires her to track real-time updates, verify information and present balanced coverage across diverse beats. Covering US politics from an international newsroom perspective has further deepened her understanding of how domestic decisions can have far-reaching global consequences. With a keen interest in international affairs, Shirin continues to build her expertise in geopolitics, policy shifts, and cross-border developments. She aims to learn and evolve her reporting in matters of geopolitics and international issues. Outside the newsroom Shirin writes about books and music for her personal blog. She is an avid consumer of pop culture and reveres literature.Read More

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