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Jayden Daniels throws INT, exits game after elbow injury (0:31)
Jayden Daniels gets picked off, then gets hurt trying to tackle Andrew Van Ginkel. (0:31)
John KeimDec 7, 2025, 03:36 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz left Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with what is believed to be a torn ACL, according to coach Dan Quinn.
"Early signs say a serious injury," said Quinn, who added that Ertz will undergo imaging Monday.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels also left Sunday's game and didn't return because of an elbow injury he suffered in the third quarter. Quinn said that Daniels could have returned but that he opted to hold out the quarterback -- who was playing for the first time since an elbow dislocation Nov. 9 -- because the Vikings were well in control.
Ertz was hurt with 2:10 left in the third quarter when he reached for a pass on second-and-11 and was hit in his right leg by safety Jay Ward. Ertz had to be helped off the field and was unable to put pressure on the leg. He was soon carted to the locker room, a towel draped over his head and was ruled out with the knee injury early in the fourth quarter.
Ertz, 35, has 49 receptions for 493 yards and four touchdowns this season.
"This guy is one hell of a competitor in every way," Quinn said. "To see the frustration and emotion with that, all of us are feeling that."
Daniels was forced out with eight minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter when he was hurt after he threw an interception and tried to chase down linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers blocked Daniels, who landed hard on his left elbow. He remained on the ground for a minute before sprinting to the bench. The medical staff huddled around him and removed a padded protective device before taking him to the medical tent.
Daniels was listed as questionable to return but remained on the sideline as Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback and finished the game.
"As a team, at this point, we were off and felt like that was the right call," Quinn said of opting to keep Daniels out.
Daniels had been cleared for contact this past week and was a full participant in the final two days of practice. Both he and the Commanders wanted him to return, hoping he could play the final five games.
The second-year player has finished only four of his seven starts this season and has been knocked out in each of the past three with injuries. He has been hurt three times -- a sprained knee cost him two games, a hamstring injury cost him one and the dislocated elbow cost him three.
Daniels completed 9 of 20 passes for 78 yards and an interception before exiting against the Vikings.
