[WATCH] Jayden Daniels gets obliterated on return after Vikings' Andrew Van Ginkel picks off Commanders QB

Jayden Daniels couldn't make it through his comeback game on Sunday. The Washington Commanders quarterback went down hard on his previously injured left elbow during an interception return in Minneapolis. It forced him back to the sideline after less than three quarters of action.

The hit came midway through the third quarter. Washington was facing fourth-and-1 from the Minnesota 30-yard line. Daniels threw to his left, which Vikings edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel intercepted before sprinting 40 yards downfield.

While Van Ginkel raced toward the end zone, Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers delivered a block to Daniels. The two-handed shove threw the quarterback to the turf, landing squarely on his left elbow. It was the same non-throwing arm he dislocated three weeks earlier.

Daniels headed straight to the medical tent while Marcus Mariota warmed up on the sideline. Washington announced Daniels' status as questionable to return, but he never reentered the game. He compelted 9 of 20 passes for 78 yards, with four rushes for 16 yards. The Commanders trailed 14-0 when he exited.

Jayden Daniels's backup struggles as Vikings pour it on

NFL: Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings - Source: Imagn

Marcus Mariota's track record as Jayden Daniels' replacement offered little hope for a comeback.

His first drive ended in a three-and-out after taking a sack on third and long. Commanders tight end Zach Ertz had to be helped off the field with a right leg injury during the possession, adding to the team's misery.

The second drive proved even worse. Minnesota safety Harrison Smith intercepted Mariota and returned it to the Washington 37-yard line. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy capitalized, throwing his second touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver. Minnesota pushed the lead to 24-0 with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Things spiraled further in the fourth quarter when defensive lineman Javon Hargrave recovered a Mariota fumble at the Minnesota 16-yard line.

McCarthy threw his third touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal from the Washington 2-yard line, connecting with tight end T.J. Hockenson. The score ballooned to 31-0 with 11:26 left in the fourth quarter, marking McCarthy's first three-touchdown performance of his career.