Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, both sustained injuries during Week 2 games that will sideline them for at least some time. Williams, playing for the Chicago Bears, pulled his right hamstring on a non-contact play while executing a bootleg dropback in rainy conditions. He required assistance leaving the field and was carted off. Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ signal caller, dislocated his left elbow when he was stepped on by offensive lineman Chris Paul and attempted to brace his fall.
For Williams, this marks his first significant NFL injury after starting all 38 games since being drafted by Chicago. Bears coach Ben Johnson characterized the hamstring injury as “week to week” on Monday, expressing relief that imaging suggested no knee involvement. The injury pattern is consistent with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which typically results in missing at least one game, though two games is possible. Williams’ mobility is crucial to the Bears’ offensive scheme, as the quarterback frequently operates from rollouts and other varied dropback formations.
Daniels faces a more concerning injury history, as this represents his fourth significant injury since last season and his second left elbow dislocation within 11 months. Similar to his first elbow dislocation last year, he dislocated the joint on the same side when he fell attempting to brace himself. Commanders coach Dan Quinn reported that X-rays showed no fracture, and Daniels underwent further testing on Monday. The medical community has noted that second dislocations of the same joint typically occur more easily than the first.
Both players will be out for at least some period while teams await test results and medical guidance. Williams may potentially be considered for Week 3’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Eagles, though that timeline appears optimistic given initial assessments. Daniels faced three weeks away from play following his first elbow dislocation last year, though he may potentially return sooner if he chooses to play with a brace rather than undergo immediate surgery. The unpredictable nature of football injuries was evident in both cases, as neither injury occurred during conventional tackle situations.
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