Commanders HC Dan Quinn doubles down on fateful call after Jayden Daniels' injury

Dan Quinn has no regrets after Jayden Daniels' injury

Quinn was asked about the decision following Washington's 37-20 loss. Considering Daniels' injury came on a play that never had to happen, it was an obvious question.

Quinn didn't dance around his answer.

"Looking back on it, at the one-yard line, we need touchdowns. I don't regret the call," Quinn said. "Anytime someone's injured, you play the what-if game. I don't think this is one of those times for me."

It's hard to blame Quinn for the injury itself.

This wasn't Daniels taking off downfield and absorbing a massive hit for a few extra yards. Paul stepped on his foot, Daniels lost his balance and tried to catch himself with his left arm. It was a freak play.

The timing was just awful.

Washington could have kicked a short field goal and gone into halftime trailing 17-13. Instead, the Commanders got nothing and lost their starting quarterback at the same time.

That makes the decision incredibly easy to question after the fact.

Quinn isn't doing that.

He explained that Washington knew it would have to score touchdowns against Dallas. Getting the ball to the 1-yard line with one final chance before halftime was apparently enough for him to roll the dice.

The gamble blew up in spectacular fashion, even if the reason had almost nothing to do with the actual play call.

Commanders now face an anxious wait for Daniels

Daniels' injury also carries some added concern because it's the same left elbow he dislocated last season. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, and Washington will learn more after additional testing.

Until then, Marcus Mariota is the guy the Commanders will have to lean on.

Mariota completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown after replacing Daniels, but Washington never climbed all the way back into the game.

Quinn can live with his decision. Now he just has to hope the Commanders don't have to live without Daniels for very long.