Jayden Daniels is missing his second straight game in Week 4, leaving Marcus Mariota to lead the Commanders against the Colts. But don’t count Daniels out for Week 5 just yet. He is reportedly very much in play for a comeback, even after that nasty left elbow injury.
The Elbow Reality Check and The Brace
Daniels has been sidelined since Week 2 when he dislocated his left elbow against the Cowboys. It was a gruesome-looking injury, and honestly, the guy will probably need surgery. But that’s a problem for the offseason, because having it now would flat-out end his 2026 season. So, Daniels is pushing through, which means getting used to a large brace on his left arm. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic dropped the scoop: Daniels needs to get super familiar with that brace, make sure he has “no real issues playing with it on.” It’s a huge test to see if he can truly operate at game speed with the extra hardware.
The Practice Gauntlet and What’s on the Line
While he’s trending in the right direction, the biggest hurdle for Daniels’ Week 5 return? A full week of practice. He’s been out there “a bit” leading up to Week 4, but he hasn’t been a full participant yet. Jones’ sources in Washington say a full week of practice is “a positive indication Daniels will be ready.” Beyond just showing up, he needs to prove he can “function at a high enough level” while rocking that brace to earn the Week 5 start. This is crucial for the Commanders, especially after Marcus Mariota stunned our Seahawks, helping them dodge an 0-3 start. They want their guy back behind center, no doubt.
Commanders fans better be glued to those practice reports next week. How that stretch of practices goes is going to determine everything. They’re up against NFC East rival New York Giants in Week 5, a team dealing with their own quarterback woes, with Jaxson Dart out for the season. If Daniels can clear this final hurdle, it’s game on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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