Commanders face critical decision on Jayden Daniels' elbow as specialists review MRI results

The results of an MRI done on Jayden Daniels' dislocated left elbow will now go through a rigorous study by specialists to determine exactly what next steps the Washington Commanders should take with their starting quarterback, according to a source.

So what does that mean? Daniels will miss Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Marcus Mariota will start.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS FACE SEASON-DEFINING CRISIS AS JAYDEN DANIELS SUFFERS ANOTHER SERIOUS ELBOW INJURY Interestingly, the Seahawks are optimistic they will get starting quarterback Sam Darnold back for that game, although that is not yet fully certain and will depend on how he looks in practice.

Daniels, meanwhile, is getting multiple medical opinions to determine what he should do next.

"He had imaging done today," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said.

"He'll see specialists early this week, Tuesday and Wednesday, and then we'll go through the process from there.

"...Until we go through that process, we just, I'd be guessing to give you any [timeline]." HITS KEEP COMING AS RAMS LOSE MYLES GARRETT FOR AT LEAST FOUR GAMES AFTER LOOMING KNEE SURGERY Quinn is wise not to give a timeline because the specialists might suggest something so drastic as surgery, which would end Daniels' season.

Or they could reboot a rehabilitation program similar to the one Daniels underwent last season that avoided surgery altogether.

Even a rehab program is probably going to keep Daniels out for weeks.

Daniels, who played only seven of 17 games last year, dislocated the same left elbow last season and opted not to have surgery in an effort to try and save the season.

CALEB WILLIAMS AVOIDS MAJOR HAMSTRING INJURY AS MRI REVEALS A STRAIN BUT NO TEAR AFTER VIKINGS GAME SCARE He missed three games while he recovered.

But he aggravated the injury in Week 14 against and the club basically shut him down the final four games.

And here are the lingering questions: Are Daniels and the Commanders going to take the same path, basically doing the same thing, and expecting a different long-term result? Surgery is drastic and rarely needed following an elbow dislocation.