Jayden Daniels has been practicing this week with a large brace on his left arm, something he’ll wear all season to avoid yet another elbow dislocation that he suffered last year and again in a Week 2 loss at Dallas.
His return to practice and eventually play has been faster than it was last time, after talking with medical professionals about the prospect of having surgery versus not.
Daniels opted against (at least for now) having surgery during the season. His reasoning for it was simple.
“I love
football. I play football,” Daniels told on-site reporters in a Thursday press conference leading into Sunday’s game against the Colts in London. “I get paid to play football, so … With all my teammates, everybody’s hurting. For me, just being a leader and a guy to go out there and give it my (best) shot to go out there and play. I need to protect myself and stuff like that. I just love football. I have a passion for it.”
Daniels said the possibility of having surgery after the season remains up in the air, with a decision on whether to do so being made that that time.
There is at leasta possibility that he could play on Sunday, with veteran backup Marcus Mariota as another option versus the Colts.
The brace does not allow for a full range of motion, limiting the ability to fully extend his arm. Daniels said there was no discussion about wearing a brace as a precautionary measure and also said that there will be an “adjustment period” for getting used to playing with it, but that it does not impact how he throws or his throwing motion.
He is not fearful of another dislocation, and seems primed to make a quick and productive return.
“Everything I went through, everyone said I’d be good to go,” Daniels said. “But, right now, I’m just taking it day by day.”
