WATFORD – Ten days after dislocating his left elbow, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field wearing a brace and a smile.
The question on everyone’s mind: Could he actually start against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? While the possibility exists, head coach Dan Quinn has been cautious in his statements regarding Daniels’ return.
Quinn commented on Wednesday, saying it’s “too early to call” if Daniels, who was injured in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, would return after missing last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. “But as we’re working through the week, he’ll get more reps,” Quinn noted during a news conference after the team arrived in the U.K. “As we get into Thursday and Friday, we’ll see what that load looks like.”
“By Friday, we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at,” Quinn continued. “Until then, we’ll work and start the process, but it would be too early to call.”
In Daniels’ absence, Marcus Mariota stepped in as starter for the Commanders last week, throwing three touchdown passes in a thrilling 33-31 victory over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. This victory has put additional pressure on Daniels, who is now faced with the challenge of regaining his starting position.
The Commanders’ practice session on Wednesday was described by Quinn as a light “jog-through,” not conducted in pads. If it were a regular practice, Daniels would have officially been considered “limited,” as explained by the coach. During practice, Daniels engaged in some light footwork and passing drills, taking snaps under center and simulating handoffs with the ball in his left, non-throwing hand—all while wearing a significant brace to stabilize his elbow.
This injury marks the second dislocation for Daniels; he had previously missed a significant portion of last season due to the same issue. “Any athlete would probably tell you when you are going through something a second time, there’s a known of what the road looks like,” Quinn remarked. “We just don’t know yet.”
Quinn emphasized, “We’re not going to put him out there before he’s ready. Him being back on the field is like, man that’s a good step for us, and then we’ll take it from there.”
On the other side, the Colts recently ended a nine-game losing streak with a narrow 19-17 win over the Houston Texans, setting up an intriguing matchup in London.
As the Commanders prepare for their international game, the timing of their arrival in the U.K. is also a topic of discussion. The Commanders arrived two days earlier than the Colts, which adds an interesting dynamic to the game preparation. In past seasons, teams have debated the optimal time to arrive before international games, with varying results.
The Commanders are currently staying at The Grove, a luxury hotel located about 20 miles northwest of central London. The hotel offers extensive amenities, including a practice field, and is known for hosting various high-profile events. Should the players or coaching staff need a break from football, they have options like horse riding lessons, pumpkin picking, or even a tour at the nearby Warner Bros. Studio.
As both teams gear up for Sunday’s clash, the anticipation continues to build. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Daniels can make a successful return to the field and help lead his team to victory against the Colts.
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