Jayden Daniels hit full practice on Wednesday, a massive step forward for the Commanders’ starting quarterback for the first time since dislocating his left elbow back in Week 2. This is huge news for Daniels himself, whose practice participation was supposed to be the decider on whether he could suit up against the Giants in Week 5.
Daniels Is Gearing Up, Brace and All
This dude is a fighter, plain and simple. Getting back to full participation after an elbow dislocation is no joke, and it shows the grit Daniels has. He’s reportedly getting used to a brace on that elbow, which he knows is the only way to get back out there. “I want to play football. It’s a part of me, so gotta go out there and embrace it,” Daniels said after practice. You love to see that kind of commitment. The guy clearly lives for this game, and that determination is exactly what you want from your quarterback.
The Commanders’ Injury Report Is a Whole Other Story
Here’s the kicker though, and where this “good news” starts to feel a lot less good: while Daniels is trending up, the rest of the Commanders’ injury report is looking like an absolute nightmare. A large number of players were either completely out or seriously limited in practice on Wednesday. We’re talking about key guys sitting out, like safety Percy Butler with a hamstring, wide receiver Stefon Diggs also battling a hamstring, backup QB Marcus Mariota out with a knee, wide receiver Terry McLaurin sidelined with a hamstring, defensive end Charles Omenihu dealing with groin and ankle issues, and safety Tyler Owens out with a hamstring. Seriously, that’s a whole lot of hamstrings.
On top of that, there’s a list of guys working on a limited basis: cornerback Trey Amos with a concussion, guard Sam Cosmi with a concussion and throat issue, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt battling a groin problem, linebacker Frankie Luvu with a groin, and running back Jeremy McNichols nursing a quad injury. You can’t make this stuff up. This is a massive hit to team depth, especially on both sides of the ball.
What’s Next for the Commanders
Daniels’ return to full practice is a spark of hope, no doubt. But with Week 5 against the Giants looming, the sheer volume of other injuries has to be a major concern for the coaching staff. Can Daniels lead this team back into contention if he’s missing so many key weapons and defensive playmakers? His determination is clear, but football is a team sport, and right now, the Commanders’ roster is taking a serious beating. It’s going to be a tough battle for them to find a way to make it happen against the Giants.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply