ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Dan Campbell is a coach who never stops fighting.

Naturally, he respects others who do the same.

So he sympathizes with Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn, who's drawing ample criticism this week after star quarterback Jayden Daniels was hurt in the final minutes of a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.

With the Commanders trailing 38-7 and just 7:39 left in the game, Daniels was sacked and suffered a dislocated elbow that will now force him to miss substantial time. Quinn received blowback locally and nationally for having Daniels in the game in the first place.

Daniels, who has a dislocated elbow, will not be available for the Detroit Lions' matchup at Washington this Sunday. It's expected that Marcus Mariota will start his fourth game this season.

"I do" sympathize with Quinn, Campbell said. "He can't second-guess that."

Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, missed three games with a knee injury earlier this season. He returned in Week 7 against the Cowboys but was unable to finish the game due to a hamstring injury and subsequently missed Week 8 as well.

In the Seahawks game, the Commanders were on their way to losing a third straight contest, which put them at 3-6 and in danger of already falling completely out of the playoff picture with half the season to go.

Campbell said he understands why Quinn had Daniels in the game, hoping they could find a spark to save their season.

"(Daniels) just got back and I'm sure (they wanted to) get him in a rhythm, a flow," Campbell said. "So, I think it's hard to second-guess that. And I know hindsight, all this and that. But yeah, I do feel for him. But I don't feel like he should have to feel that way.

"You try to get your guy going back in a rhythm and it's unfortunate. I hate that for (Daniels). That's tough. But it's not (Quinn's) fault."

Not having to face Daniels is a huge break for the Lions, who were knocked out of the playoffs in January after Daniels lit up Ford Field in last season's divisional round. Daniels went 22-for-31 passing for 299 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 45-31 win.

In Daniels' place, Mariota has gone 1-2 as the starter. This season, he's completing 63.6% of his passes for 639 yards (6.8 yards per attempt), four touchdowns and four interceptions.

"They’ve gotten some injuries, some things that they’ve been trying to overcome here — and really no different than us, coming off a loss and getting back on their feet," Campbell said.

"We’re getting back on our feet and cleaning things up and find a way to be competitive and get the win.”

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