Robert Griffin III is asking the question that many have pondered in the wake of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ gruesome arm injury in Sunday’s blowout loss to Seattle: “Why is he still in the game?”
In a video shared on TikTok, the former Washington quarterback — who was injured on the exact side of Washington’s home field against the Seahawks in January 2013 in an eerie similarity — expressed bewilderment about why the banged-up Daniels was still competing with less than eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the game out of reach.
“Just watched Jayden Daniels get hurt… In the game with seven minutes left, down 38-7, and my first thought is, ‘Why is he still in the game?’” Griffin said. “With the injuries he’s had. This is why I wanted them to hold him out until after the bye week. Let him get fully healthy.”
Daniels, who has missed time this season due to knee and hamstring injuries, was sacked by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas late in the fourth quarter.
The former first-round pick was writhing on the ground in pain and appeared to have a dislocated elbow. He underwent X-rays, which reportedly returned negative.
Washington coach Dan Quinn has come under fire in the aftermath and addressed the injury postgame.
“Obviously, like the hindsight, you don’t want to think that way, where an injury could take place,” Quinn told reporters after the Commanders’ 38-14 loss. “Obviously, we’re more conservative in that spot to run and hand off and not have reads to go, but just the end result — obviously, I’m bummed.”
Many were furious with the Commanders’ coach for leaving an oft-injured Daniels out there.
“Malpractice having him out there,’ Washington-based radio host Kevin Sheehan said. “Wow.”
“Asked …why is he in this game ? as the drive began,” ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt replied.
“Down by 31 with 8 minutes left, and a already hampered quarterback, why is Jayden Daniels still in the game,” Daniels said Emmanuel Acho posted on X. “Praying for the young man. It’s been a hard year for him and Washington.”
The Commanders, one year removed from an NFC Championship appearance, fell to 3-6 with Sunday’s loss.
It remains to be seen if Daniels will return this season.
The Commanders host the Lions next Sunday.
