The Washington Commanders will have to play without Jayden Daniels for another week.
Daniels officially has been ruled out for Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in London because of the dislocated left elbow he suffered in Washington’s Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
It will be the second consecutive game Daniels has missed, meaning veteran Marcus Mariota will once again start at quarterback for Washington.
There is some encouraging news, however.
Daniels traveled to London with the Commanders and participated on a limited basis in practice this week. He isn’t ready to play Sunday, but Washington appears to be getting closer to having its franchise quarterback back.
Jayden Daniels Ruled Out Against Colts
Commanders coach Dan Quinn ended any remaining uncertainty Friday when he announced Daniels would not play against Indianapolis. Daniels practiced on a limited basis while wearing a large brace on his injured left arm, but Washington wasn’t prepared to put him back into game action.
That’s hardly surprising considering the importance of Daniels to the franchise. The former Heisman Trophy winner suffered the injury to his non-throwing elbow against Dallas and has been working his way back ever since.
Mariota started in Daniels’ place last week and helped Washington earn a dramatic 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Now he’ll try to make it two straight while playing on an international stage.
Could Daniels Return In Week 5?
This is where the news gets considerably more encouraging for Commanders fans. Quinn indicated Washington will reassess Daniels next week after the quarterback has an opportunity to go through a full week of practice.
That puts a potential Week 5 return against the New York Giants firmly on the radar.
Nothing is guaranteed.
Daniels still has to prove he can practice fully, protect himself and function normally with the injured elbow. Washington has little reason to take unnecessary chances with a player who represents such a huge part of its future.
Still, the fact that Daniels traveled to London and participated in practice is meaningful progress.
Sunday came too soon.
Next Sunday might not. For now, Mariota gets another start while Daniels continues pushing toward his return.
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