Honestly, looking at the Washington Commanders injury report from the 2025-2026 season feels a bit like reading a medical textbook instead of a sports column. It was brutal. One week you’re thinking about playoff seeding, and the next, you’re trying to remember who the third-string left guard is.
The biggest gut-punch was obviously Jayden Daniels. After a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024 that had everyone in D.C. planning parade routes, his sophomore year hit a massive wall—specifically a Minnesota Vikings defender.
He dislocated his elbow in Week 14. Just like that, the season changed. The team eventually decided to shut him down to prevent long-term damage. Now, here we are in January 2026, and the chatter isn't about playoff stats; it’s about recovery timelines and flag football.
The Current Washington Commanders Injury Report State
Right now, since the regular season is over and the Commanders finished 5-12, the "report" is more of a roadmap for the 2026 training camp.
Jayden Daniels is officially listed as "recovering," but he’s making headlines for a weird reason. He’s set to captain a team in Tom Brady’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia this March. Some fans are losing their minds over it. They see "dislocated elbow" and "March exhibition" and start sweating.
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But it’s actually a good sign.
If he’s cleared to throw a ball—even a Nerf-adjacent one—with Tom Brady, the elbow is likely stable. He missed the final stretch of the season, but the medical staff is clearly comfortable with his range of motion.
The Offensive Line Disaster
If Daniels was the headline, the offensive line was the sad, crumbling foundation. By the end of December, it was basically Brandon Coleman and a bunch of guys who probably met in the huddle.
- Laremy Tunsil: He ended the year with a stubborn oblique injury. He was a cornerstone acquisition, but that muscle strain just wouldn't quit. He’s expected back for training camp without restrictions.
- Tyler Biadasz: This one was nasty. He hurt his knee and ankle on the same play against Dallas on Christmas. Talk about a bad holiday. He’s currently on the road back from IR.
- Sam Cosmi: He was dealing with a concussion late in the year. He’s one of the league’s elite guards when he’s on the field, but the late-season pile-up made it impossible for him to return for the finale.
Why the Injury Bug Bit So Hard
It wasn't just the big names. The depth was evaporated by mid-November. You had Noah Brown struggling with a groin and knee issue that eventually landed him on IR. Terry McLaurin even missed a chunk of time with a quad injury that seemed to linger forever.
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When you lose your QB1, your WR1, and three-fifths of your starting line, you aren't winning many games in the NFL. Dan Quinn and Adam Peters are now looking at the 2026 roster with "durability" written in giant red letters on the whiteboard.
Defensive Casualties
The defense didn't escape the carnage either.
- Trey Amos: The rookie corner was a bright spot until a lower leg injury ended his season in mid-December. He’s a lock for a 2026 starting role if the rehab stays on track.
- Daron Payne: He missed time at the end of the year with knee and finger issues.
- Marshon Lattimore: His season ended way back in November with an ACL tear. That’s a long road back, and his status for the start of next season is still a major "maybe."
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Washington Commanders injury report is finally starting to clear up, but the scars are there. The hiring of David Blough as the new offensive coordinator means a whole new system for a recovering Jayden Daniels to learn.
The focus now shifts to the training staff. There’s been a lot of talk about how the team manages soft-tissue injuries, especially after the plague of groin and hamstring issues that hit the wide receiver room.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re tracking the recovery of this roster, keep your eyes on these specific milestones:
- The March Flag Football Event: Watch how Jayden Daniels throws. If he’s letting it rip without a brace, the elbow concerns are officially dead.
- Free Agency (March 11): If the Commanders go heavy on offensive line depth, it tells you they don't fully trust the recovery timelines of Biadasz or Tunsil.
- OTAs in May: This is the real test for guys like Lattimore and Amos. If they aren't participating in individual drills by then, the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list becomes a real possibility for the start of the 2026 season.
The 2025 season was a "lost year" in many ways, but the silver lining is the draft capital. Because of the injuries and the resulting 5-12 record, Washington has a high slot to grab more protection for Daniels.
The goal for 2026 is simple: stay off the trainer’s table. If they can do that, the talent is actually there to compete in the NFC East.