Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is waiting on a decision this week that could determine whether his second NFL season ends prematurely, after he dislocated his left elbow for a second time during Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Daniels was hurt on the final play of the first half when he fell awkwardly and instinctively braced himself with his left hand, bending the elbow backward. He was carted off the field, though X-rays taken that day showed no fracture, according to the Washington Times' account of the injury.

Specialists now have the final say

Daniels underwent additional imaging on Monday, and head coach Dan Quinn said the team would seek opinions from outside specialists before settling on a treatment plan, with consultations scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week. NBC Sports reported that those specialists could recommend surgery, which would likely end Daniels' season.

QUINN EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE POSTGAME THAT DANIELS WILL PLAY AGAIN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

Quinn struck an optimistic tone immediately after Sunday's game, but the team's public posture has grown more cautious as the week has gone on and more doctors have weighed in on the imaging. Because this marks the second time Daniels has dislocated the same elbow, specialists are expected to weigh not just this week's damage but the long-term durability of the joint before recommending a course of treatment.

In the meantime, backup Marcus Mariota is set to start Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, a matchup that already carried extra weight for Washington's playoff positioning before Daniels' injury complicated the picture further. Mariota, a veteran with starting experience elsewhere in the league, has filled in for Daniels before and gives the Commanders a steadier stopgap than most backups around the league.

Daniels, last year's Offensive Rookie of the Year, has been central to Washington's rebuild under Quinn, and any extended absence would be a significant blow to a team that has built its identity around his dual-threat playmaking. The team is expected to provide a clearer update on his status once specialists complete their evaluations later this week.