Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels injury is healing well and he is trending toward a return this week against the New York Giants, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, after missing Week 4 with a dislocated left elbow. The key factor is whether Daniels can log a full practice session before Sunday, a requirement Fowler indicated Daniels must meet this week.
Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Week 2, the second time he has suffered that injury to the same elbow within the last year. He was limited in practice throughout Week 4 and ultimately ruled out against the Indianapolis Colts, a game Washington lost to fall to 1-3.
What The Team And Sources Have Said About Jayden Daniels’ Injury
No official designation has been issued yet for Sunday’s game, but the path to clearance has been laid out clearly. According to Sporting News, Daniels needs one full participation at practice this week to be cleared to play against the Giants. Limited reps will not be enough on their own.
“The outlook for the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels potentially playing this week against the Giants is positive,” Fowler said. “The key, I’m told, is having him in practice in full. Limited participation likely won’t be enough. If he’s a full go in practice by, say, Friday, he’ll get the green light.”
Thursday and Friday carry more weight than Wednesday in this evaluation, according to Sporting News, since players are often held to limited work on Wednesdays for rest purposes regardless of injury status. That means Daniels’ Wednesday session alone will not settle the question of whether he plays Sunday.
Who Replaces Daniels If He Isn’t Cleared
Washington’s quarterback situation is already stretched thin. Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL against the Colts and remains sidelined, removing the veteran backup from the equation.
That left rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, who entered the Colts game in place of Mariota, as the next man up. If Daniels is not cleared by Sunday, Kaliakmanis would make his first career start under center for the Commanders.
Daniels’ Role And Washington’s Season Context
Washington enters Week 5 at 1-3, having struggled to find consistency at quarterback since Daniels’ elbow issues began. The Giants, by contrast, sit atop the NFC East at 3-1, though New York will be without quarterback Jaxson Dart for the matchup.
Daniels has missed the past two weeks with the elbow injury. The Commanders lost to the Colts in Week 4 without him.
What Comes Next For The Commanders
Washington’s clearest path to clarity comes Thursday and Friday, when Daniels’ practice participation will be scrutinized most closely. A full session on either day would put him on track to start Sunday against the Giants. Anything short of that likely pushes the start to Kaliakmanis, who got his first extended look at the position after relieving Mariota in Week 4.
The next update is expected through Washington’s practice reports this week. Sunday’s game against the Giants is scheduled for this weekend.
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