This reinforcement could not have come soon enough.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels looked to be a full participant in practice on Wednesday, Oct. 7. It marked the first time he wasn't a limited participant or held out of practice since suffering his gruesome dislocated elbow injury in Week 2.
The 2026 season has been brutal for injuries to NFL quarterbacks, and few teams have more first-hand experience on that front than the Commanders.
Daniels missed the second half of Washington's second game after his elbow injury, then all of Week 3 and Week 4. Against the Colts in Week 4, the Commanders lost backup quarterback Marcus Mariota in his second start of the season. He sustained a sprained MCL on Washington's second possession.
Rookie seventh-rounder Athan Kaliakmanis filled in for Mariota for the remainder of Week 4, but it appears as though he'll have to wait to make his first career start.
Daniels appears as though he's readying to return for his third start of the season in Week 5. Here's what we know:
Jayden Daniels injury update
ESPN reporter John Keim posted a video of Daniels throwing at practice on Oct. 7. Keim wrote in the social media post's caption that Daniels is "expected to be a full participant in practice."
Later in the practice session, Keim posted another video showing Daniels taking a simulated snap from a coach and pitching the ball to running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The ESPN reporter wrote that Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels would be a full participant in practice during the week.
That's a step up from last week for Daniels. In Week 4, the former No. 2 overall pick traveled with his team to London last week and was a limited participant in practice every day leading up to the game. He was eventually ruled out and spent the game on the sideline with his teammates.
Daniels suffered his most recent elbow injury on the final play before halftime in the Commanders' Week 2 loss to the Cowboys. The third-year quarterback got his legs tangled up with his offensive line after taking a snap and stuck out his left arm to brace his fall. Daniels' elbow seemingly gave out as his arm bent the wrong way.
Daniels' dislocated left elbow injury was a repeat of the ailment that ultimately ended his season early last year. He missed three games after sustaining the original injury in Week 9 last year, then he re-injured it when he returned in Week 14 and missed the rest of the season.
Commanders QB depth chart
- Jayden Daniels (questionable – elbow)
- Marcus Mariota (doubtful – MCL sprain)
- Athan Kaliakmanis
Washington's quarterbacks room is banged up headed into Week 5. Daniels' status as a full participant in practice on Oct. 7 suggests he'll be good to go for the game against the Giants on Sunday, Oct. 11. He may be operating in a limited capacity during the game given the injury and brace he's wearing on his left elbow.
Mariota is unlikely to be active for Week 5, though multiple reports on Oct. 7 indicated that he will avoid an IR stint. The veteran could be back within two to three weeks, and the Commanders have their bye in Week 7.
Kaliakmanis made his NFL debut in London last week after Mariota's injury. The seventh-round rookie went 15 for 33 on pass attempts (45.5% completion rate) for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
The Commanders also have Notre Dame product Sam Hartman on their practice squad for a third year in a row. NFL Media insider Mike Garafolo reported on Oct. 7 that more help could be on the way as well after Washington worked out Jack Plummer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jayden Daniels injury update as Commanders QB readies for return
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