Commanders tight end Zach Ertz was emotional as he left the sideline on a cart in Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Vikings.
Vikings safety Jay Ward lowered his helmet and hit Ertz’s right knee as Ertz stretched for a high throw with 2:05 left in the third quarter. The team’s medical staff placed Ertz in a full leg brace.
The Commanders quickly ruled him out.
Coach Dan Quinn said after the game that “the early signals aren’t good” when asked about a torn ACL.
Ertz will undergo an MRI on his injury on Monday to confirm the bad news.
He had one catch for 11 yards on Sunday and likely will finish his season with 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels did not return after aggravating his left elbow injury in the third quarter Sunday.
Coach Dan Quinn said after the 31-0 loss to the Vikings that Daniels could have returned, but it was a coach’s decision to keep him out. The Commanders trailed only 14-0 when Daniels’ elbow slammed against the turf as he was chasing Andrew Van Ginkel, who had a 40-yard interception return with 8:16 left in the third quarter.
Quinn added that he plans for Daniels to continue playing this season despite the Commanders being eliminated from playoff contention.
Daniels dislocated his left elbow while bracing a fall during a sack in Week 9. He missed three games before returning to start Sunday’s game.
Daniels went 9-of-20 for 78 yards and an interception and ran for 16 yards on four carries.
Marcus Mariota finished the game.
The Vikings scored only 42 points in their four-game losing streak, including a 26-0 blanking by the Seahawks last week when rookie quarterback Max Bosmer made his first NFL start. With J.J. McCarthy back, the Vikings scored 31 on Sunday in a shutout of the Commanders.
Minnesota improves to 5-8, while the Commanders fall to 3-10 and was eliminated from playoff contention. The Commanders’ first shutout loss since 2019 extended their losing streak to eight games, the team’s longest since 2023.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels did not make it through his first game back from a dislocated left elbow. He reinjured his elbow following an interception with 8:16 left in the third quarter.
Vikings defensive back Isaiah Rodgers blocked the Daniels on a return by Andrew Van Ginkel, sending Daniels flying. Daniels landed on his left elbow.
Daniels went 9-of-20 for 78 yards and an interception and ran for 16 yards on four carries.
It was that kind of day for Washington.
The Vikings outgained the Commanders 313 to 206, with McCarthy going 16-of-23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He had touchdown throws of 18 and 6 yards to Josh Oliver, and T.J. Hockenson had a 2-yard touchdown reception.
Aaron Jones had 14 carries for 76 yards and Jordan Mason ran for 52 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown, on 11 carries.
Jordan Addison caught four passes for 62 yards, but Jordan Jefferson had only two receptions for 11 yards.
The Commanders reached the Vikings 2, 19 and 24 without scoring. They turned it over on downs, threw an interception (on the play Daniels was injured) and Marcus Mariota, who replaced Daniels, lost a fumble.
Mariota was 2-of-4 for 30 yards with a pick and the fumble. Chris Rodriguez had 10 carries for 52 yards, and Terry McLaurin caught three passes for 41 yards.
Jayden Daniels was playing his first game since dislocating his left elbow while bracing a fall during a sack in Week 9. He reinjured his elbow following an interception with 8:16 left in the third quarter.
Vikings defensive back Isaiah Rodgers blocked the Commanders quarterback on a return by Andrew Van Ginkel, sending Daniels flying. He landed on his left elbow and remained on the ground holding it.
The Commanders list Daniels as questionable to return, but considering Washington trails 17-0 on its way to falling to 3-10 on the season, it seems unlikely he will.
Daniels went 9-of-20 for 78 yards and an interception and ran for 16 yards on four carries.
Marcus Mariota replaced Daniels on the drive that started with 7:01 remaining in the third quarter and promptly threw an interception.
The College Football Playoff bracket is set, with absolutely no controversy at all.
Next comes the first round, with three games to be played on a day when the NFL will be staging a doubleheader.
On Saturday, December 20, Miami will visit Texas A&M at noon ET, in the one game that won’t be up against an NFL contest. Ole Miss will host Tulane at 3:30 p.m. ET, with James Madison visiting Oregon at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, the Eagles visit the Commanders at 5:00 p.m. ET, with the Packers facing the Bears at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Last year, a Texans-Chiefs, Steelers-Ravens Saturday doubleheader significantly outperformed the college playoff games.
SMU and Penn State averaged 6.4 million viewers on, while Texans-Chiefs drew 15.5 million viewers. In the evening slot, Clemson-Texas attracted 8.6 million viewers, with 15.4 million watching Steelers-Ravens.
