Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was a full participant in Wednesday's practice as he works toward playing Sunday against the New York Giants, and he did so while wearing a brace on his left elbow. Head coach Dan Quinn said he plans to start Daniels this week, barring any setbacks.
Practice progress and precautions
Daniels suffered a left elbow injury on the final play of the first half in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys and missed the following two weeks. He traveled with the team to London last week, and Wednesday’s session represented another clear step in his return process: Daniels not only took the reps in practice but began specific work on protecting the elbow and indicated he plans to keep the brace on for game day.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis had seen action in relief of Marcus Mariota, but Daniels’ presence and full participation shifted the practice reps back to the veteran quarterback. Quinn stressed the coaching staff’s cautious approach — "The goal is for him to have a full week of practice and start on Sunday," he said — while adding plainly, "We won't put him out there before he's ready."
What Daniels' return could mean for the Commanders this week
Washington’s need for clarity at quarterback has intensified after Marcus Mariota suffered an injury in Week 4 and is expected to miss time. That context makes Daniels’ midweek work more than a routine practice day: it’s the immediate test of whether the Commanders can move forward with their planned starter against a division opponent.
There is a specific on-field threshold to clear. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that all Daniels needs to do to be eligible to play in Week 5 is record one full practice participation during the week. With Wednesday already checked off, the more important showings will come Thursday and Friday, Quinn acknowledged, as the team looks for a full week of preparation without setbacks.
Even with positive signs, Quinn reminded reporters that adjustments remain for both Daniels and the offense as a whole. The coach said there are "some adjustments for Daniels to make and others for the team to address."
For the Commanders, Daniels’ return — brace in place, reps resumed and the coaching staff’s public plan to start him if things continue to trend — represents a potentially decisive moment in the early season. Whether it becomes the turning point the team needs will depend on two things this week: no setbacks in practice and how quickly the offense can adapt around his elbow protection concerns.
