It's official. Jayden Daniels will start for the Washington Commanders in Week 5 against the New York Giants, not that there was any doubt about that after looking at his steely determination in front of the media.
And offensive coordinator David Blough eased any fears fans may have had with just two words.
Daniels has missed the last two games with a dislocated elbow, which is frustrating. Fortunately, he didn't need immediate surgery or go to injured reserve. And even though the Commanders didn't risk him last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts, it's all systems go now.
Asked David Blough if with Jayden Daniels about if any challenges with him coming back off an injury. Any limitations to building the game plan?
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 8, 2026
"He's full go," Blough said.
Attention turns to how Blough will scheme around Daniels' supposed deficiencies.
Commanders are working toward Jayden Daniels having no on-field limitations
While he didn't give too much away during his weekly appearance before beat writers, the rookie play-caller did say his signal-caller was a full-go with no limitations.
That is beyond reassuring.
Whether it's the reality remains to be seen.
The former Arizona State gunslinger will wear an elbow brace. One could make a case that he should have had one on anyway, but that's a conversation for another day.
Washington has him back now, which is the most important thing. And according to Blough, there won't be any changes to his scheme or how Daniels goes about his business on the field.
Because if he plays scared, he's already lost the battle.
Obviously, Daniels won't just play with reckless abandon. He'll need to weigh the risk versus reward quickly from down to down. But if Blough is not putting any restrictions on him, hopes are high that he can make a significant difference at Northwest Stadium.
David Blough is ready to unleash Jayden Daniels to save the Commanders' season
The Commanders are 1-3. Another loss, with the San Francisco 49ers coming up on Monday Night Football, wouldn't paint the most promising picture. Several key men are working their way back from injury, but Daniels' return will give everyone in Washington a massive lift.
And it's needed.
Blough seemed bullish about Daniels' chances of playing free. The elbow cannot be at the forefront of his mind. That's asking for trouble. So hopefully, the brace gives him the confidence to deploy the scheme effectively and improvise when things aren't developing as expected downfield.
A little bit of luck would also help.
Blough didn't have to say that Daniels was "full-go", but he did it anyway. That is how much he believes his quarterback can not only make a successful return, but pick up where he left off before disaster struck against the Dallas Cowboys.
And if this scenario becomes reality, the Commanders' fortunes could change dramatically.
Nervous excitement and real trepidation are in equal measure. The Commanders are taking a risk, but Daniels demanded no other way. Now, he has to go out and repay this, and Washington has to trust its franchise player fully.
Hesitancy is not an option.
Blough knows it, and so does Daniels. Couple that with the added urgency Washington faces in a must-win game, and it only raises the stakes.
But quiet confidence is building, and it's quickly becoming hard to ignore.
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