Dislocated Again: Jayden Daniels’ Elbow Injury, Recovery, and Re-Injury Risk

R2P Injury Breakdown | Week of October 5, 2026 | By Dr. Zach Baker, DPT, SCS

Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second time in under a year when he braced a fall against the Cowboys in Week 2. Imaging showed no fracture or ligament damage, so he is rehabbing without surgery. Elbow dislocations are uncommon, at roughly 5 per 100,000 people per year, and nearly half happen during sports (Stoneback et al., JBJS, 2012). Once the joint has dislocated, though, recurrence becomes the real risk. Here is how the injury happens, what elbow dislocation recovery looks like, and how to reduce the risk of a second one.

What Happened: Daniels’ Second Elbow Dislocation

It was unfortunately a familiar scene for Commanders fans as they watched Jayden Daniels dislocate his elbow just before halftime of the team’s Week 2 loss against the Dallas Cowboys on September 20. On what should have been a routine play, Daniels lost his footing coming out from under center. In an attempt to keep his balance and stay on his feet, he extended his arm and put his hand on the ground to keep himself up and at that moment, you could see the injury occur.

This is the second time he’s dislocated that elbow in the past two seasons, the first being in a Week 9 loss against the Seattle Seahawks last November. He missed several games, returned in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, reaggravated the injury, and was shut down for the rest of the 2025 season.

The good news is that he did not suffer any fractures or ligament issues with his current re-injury and after meeting with specialists, it was determined that he will not undergo surgery on his left elbow at this time.

Looking Further Into the Injury

Elbow Stability

The elbow is often a relatively stable joint, with dislocation not occurring at the frequency of a shoulder or other joints. The stability of the elbow comes from a few different factors. One, the tight fit and shape of the bones provide a natural structure to reduce the likelihood of them coming out of place. These bones are connected by ligaments on the inner and outer sides of the joint that provide additional support and work to keep the integrity of the joint intact. Lastly, the muscles that cross and surround the joint act as dynamic stabilizers, ultimately serving as the tissues that produce and absorb force to protect the joint from excessive trauma.

The FOOSH Mechanism

Most elbow dislocations happen exactly the way Daniels’ did, from a fall on an outstretched hand (often referred to as FOOSH). When your hand hits the ground with your arm straight, force travels up the forearm and the elbow and shoulder joints are often affected. This force can cause bones to become displaced (the joint is dislocated), ligaments to tear and even cause bones to fracture.

Simple vs. Complex Dislocations

Physicians will often sort these injuries into two categories. A simple dislocation does not involve a fracture. Meanwhile, a complex dislocation includes a fracture and more often needs surgery (AAOS OrthoInfo). Early reporting indicates Daniels’ latest injury falls into the simpler category, which is why a non-surgical path is on the table.

The Real Risk: Recurrence

One major issue to consider is the potential for recurrence. Every dislocation stretches or tears the supporting ligaments to some degree and once a joint has dislocated, it can be more vulnerable to doing it again. Daniels’ case shows this clearly: this is the third time he has injured his left elbow in his last four games.

When repeat injuries continue to stack up, the conversation can shift toward the presence of chronic instability. In these scenarios, less force and trauma can often still produce further episodes of dislocation and potentially surgical reconstruction. Orthopedic surgeons and the rehab team will educate the athletes to inform them of their risk profiles with the sport and position they play, the joint integrity and the potential influence on performance and participation in games.

The Road Back: Elbow Dislocation Recovery

Following injury, you must mitigate the initial symptoms for comfort and to promote an environment most conducive to healing. You want to reduce pain and swelling, restore range of motion and build back strength and stability. Recovery typically moves through four phases.

Phase 1: Protect and preserve

A hinged brace or some sort of external support may be used to limit risky positions while gentle, controlled motion begins. Swelling management and pain control set the pace.

Phase 2: Restore range and strength

The goal is to return to bending and straightening the arm fully. We also need to ensure the forearm can rotate fully into a palm up and palm down position (pronation and supination). Strength work targets grip, forearm, and the muscles that dynamically stabilize the elbow, along with the shoulder and shoulder blade that work in coordination with the lower part of the arm.

Phase 3: Load and react

Athletes eventually progress back to weight-bearing and activities requiring force going through the arm. They also need to incorporate faster, reactive drills and ensure the athlete is competent and comfortable doing so. For a football player, that may mean tolerating contact with blocking or tackling, bracing for a fall, and securing the ball under pressure.

Phase 4: Return to performance

Sport-specific work ramps up with objective markers, not just the calendar. At R2P, we assess, don’t guess: strength and power testing compared side to side, using tools like HUMAC NORM isokinetic testing and VALD force plates, before we clear an athlete for full speed.

Why the Non-Throwing Arm Matters

Daniels throws right-handed, so this is his non-throwing arm. That doesn’t make the injury less severe, but it does mean the demands on that elbow are much different than the demands experienced by the throwing elbow. Injured throwing elbows will have additional considerations to address. If he plays, Daniels will likely wear a brace on his left elbow.

What to Learn From This Injury

You don’t need an NFL pass rush to dislocate an elbow. Falls on an outstretched hand happen in a variety of everyday and athletic settings. They can occur on pickleball courts, trail runs, ski slopes, and playgrounds every week. Three things to consider moving forward:

Get it imaged

If your elbow looks deformed, won’t move, or you felt it shift after a fall, get it evaluated promptly. Ruling out a fracture is critical and necessary to decide everything that comes next.

Don’t let it freeze

Weeks in a sling without guided motion can cost you range of motion in the future or lead to a problematic journey trying to regain it. Be sure to check on what your rehab protocol entails, follow the range of motion guidelines closely and start rehab early under a clinician’s direction as soon as appropriate.

Take the first one seriously

Recurrence risk is the real story in Daniels’ case. A complete rehab after your first injury, including strength and control work, is the most effective way to reduce the risk of a second one. Also, ensure you consult with an orthopedic surgeon to determine what options you have. Some elbow dislocations do well with conservative management while others require surgical

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Dr. Zach Baker, DPT, SCS, is a board-certified sports clinical specialist at Rehab 2 Perform.