New England Patriots draft prospect and former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels attracted notice with his passing ability on Wednesday, albeit not for entirely positive reasons.
During his Pro Day at LSU, it was observed that Daniels has an anomaly on the elbow of his throwing arm, sparking discussions on social media. However, according to Dr. Jesse Morse, this condition will not impact his future performance or health.
Morse, previously known as Twitter, commented that Daniels is facing an issue of olecranon bursitis on his right throwing elbow, though it’s merely a cosmetic concern in the grand scheme of things. The sports medicine specialist clarified that this condition typically has no adverse effects on a player.
Morse mentioned, “This should not hinder his throwing ability or cause any discomfort. It’s simply a visual anomaly.” Throughout his college tenure, Daniels rarely sat out games, despite concerns about his durability from scouts and analysts. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds with a lean build, Daniels frequently runs the ball and doesn’t shy away from contact.
Nevertheless, Daniels impressed many spectators during his Pro Day, especially with his impressive passes to wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers. This display of talent was not surprising considering his remarkable performance last season, where the 2023 Heisman Trophy recipient threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns.
“In 2023, the aspect of Jayden Daniels’ performance that saw the greatest improvement was his precision in deep passes,” mentioned Keith Sanchez from The Draft Network.
During the Pro Day, Daniels had a meeting with Alonzo Highsmith, a scout from the Patriots. However, the quarterback’s impressive skills could potentially increase the competition for New England. The Washington Commanders, who possess the second overall pick in the draft, also sent a group to observe Daniels.
Morse provided a detailed analysis of Daniels’ elbow using images and diagrams. It appears that this issue dates back to at least the previous season when Daniels would cover his elbow with either “tape, a sleeve, or nothing at all.”
Describing the condition, Morse explained, “This is an inflammation of the bursa, a sac that is typically empty and serves the purpose of protecting the underlying bone. Bursa sacs are found in various joints, including the elbow and knee. Trauma to the elbow, such as hitting it against a hard surface, commonly leads to bursa inflammation, prompting the body to fill it with fluid.”
Morse further elaborated, stating, “This is a protective response to prevent potential bone fractures. While these occurrences are prevalent and more of a nuisance than a serious concern, they should be monitored for signs of infection. While it is possible to drain (aspirate) them using a needle, they often refill over time.”
“I have achieved positive outcomes by administering PRP (platelet-rich plasma obtained from the blood) injections to eliminate these issues permanently. However, in certain cases, they can be quite persistent,” Morse remarked.
Leave a Reply