The Washington Commanders fell 38-14 to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in Week 9, but the game was overshadowed by several serious injuries to key players. Quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a gruesome left elbow injury, while wide receiver Luke McCaffrey broke his collarbone and cornerback Marshon Lattimore is feared to have torn his ACL.
The Seattle Seahawks dominated the Washington Commanders from start to finish, securing a 38-14 victory on Sunday night. The loss highlighted ongoing defensive struggles for Washington, who allowed seven passing touchdowns over a four-quarter span from the second half of Week 8 to the first half of Week 9. In the game, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold completed 16 of 16 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone.
Injuries mounted quickly for the Commanders, potentially sidelining three starters. Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels exited with a serious left elbow injury, requiring an air cast; his status for the remainder of the season remains unknown, though he has already missed 33% of Washington's games this year. Wide receiver and kick returner Luke McCaffrey was reported to have broken his collarbone, per NFL Media. Starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowler, suffered a left knee injury, with the team fearing a torn ACL; he is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
Lattimore had recorded 27 tackles, seven passes defensed, and one interception in nine games this season, including a pick against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Washington's pass defense ranks fourth-worst in the NFL, allowing 253.6 passing yards per game. The 3-6 Commanders sit third in the NFC East and face long playoff odds at +2200 to qualify and -10000 to miss, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
The injuries come after a magical 2024 season that ended in the NFC Championship, but Washington's current form suggests a challenging finish to the year.