Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels traveled with the team to London for the Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Does that mean Daniels, who dislocated his left (non-throwing) elbow in a Week 2 loss at Dallas, will play on Sunday?
Not necessarily.
While there was initial panic about Daniels and the injury, he received good news after visiting with multiple specialists around the country. Daniels didn’t need surgery, and he wasn’t going on injured reserve. The Commanders called him ‘week-to-week.’
As for Week 4, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Monday that Daniels, along with linebacker Frankie Luvu and tight end Chig Okonkwo, would return to practice this week “in some form or fashion.” All three players flew to London with the
team on Tuesday night.
In his first start this season in place of Daniels, Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to an upset win over the Seattle Seahawks. Mariota, arguably the NFL’s top backup quarterback, appears likely to start again against the Colts.
But is Daniels pushing to come back this week?
“For sure, yes,” Quinn said on Monday. “But, to his credit, he’s been absolutely putting in the work. He has not done that [pushed to play] today. I’m not gonna say he hasn’t done it yesterday, or that’ll be the case tomorrow, but I am excited to get him back out on the practice field.”
Daniels received a good report from the doctor and will return soon. He’ll have to wear a brace on his left elbow. While Daniels wants to return — and the Commanders want him back — the team will play it safe. His return to practice this week is more about Daniels getting reps, staying sharp, and getting comfortable with the brace. It does not mean he will play on Sunday.
Whether it’s this week or not, Daniels will return sooner rather than later.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Is Commanders' Jayden Daniels pushing Dan Quinn to return?
