Jayden Daniels won't feature in Week 3 after sustaining another dislocated elbow. The Washington Commanders didn't place him on injured reserve, and they aren't considering surgery right now. However, when he'll be back in the lineup is anyone's guess.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network added a bit more clarity. If his report is accurate, Commanders fans hoping to see the dynamic quarterback in London will be out of luck.
Rapoport didn't think Daniels was very likely to be on the field against the Indianapolis Colts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It's not set in stone, but the insider also thought he could miss fewer games this time around.
Jayden Daniels may not return for Commanders' international game against the Colts
But Daniels will return only when it's safer to do so. Until then, it's a waiting game for everybody.
"I would say unlikely he plays next week, though he has not been ruled out. Certainly, it's conceivable that he misses fewer than three games he missed last time. The fact that he is not having immediate surgery is good. What they really want is to make sure Daniels is on the field as soon as possible, while as safe as possible."
If Daniels has to miss one more week, so be it. The Commanders cannot afford long-term complications if they throw him into the fire again before he is ready. The added travel for their international fixture is also off-putting.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Commanders got good news on Jayden Daniels, though Marcus Mariota starts this week. pic.twitter.com/JGO7710IIb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2026
If the Commanders give Daniels another week, his potential return in Week 5 against the New York Giants will be under the microscope. That would give everyone a massive boost, but Washington may also be 0-4 by then.
That might be the doomsday scenario, but it's a realistic one if head coach Dan Quinn's squad cannot tread water without their franchise player.
Commanders and Jayden Daniels must get the timing right with his return
It's a precarious situation, of course. Daniels will have to wear a brace when he returns, which will limit his mobility. The scheme will also have to change slightly, minimizing the risk of the Arizona State product getting hurt again.
That would be catastrophic for everyone involved.
After a week of tests and specialist visits, the prognosis was pretty encouraging. It could have been a lot worse for Daniels and the Commanders, so this is now all about the right timing.
Daniels will be itching to get back quickly. Everyone in Washington echoes that sentiment, but only when everything is satisfactory. There will always be an element of risk attached, but desperation is no longer an option.
The Commanders were expecting Daniels to lead them back into the playoffs this season. Sitting at 0-2 with the No. 2 pick in 2024 on the shelf is the worst possible start, but they still have a slight chance to turn things around if the Heisman Trophy winner can return sooner rather than later.
That isn't this week. Rapoport doesn't believe it will be next week either. But if Daniels is under center in Week 5 and stays healthy the rest of the way, hope isn't lost yet.
Watch this space, I guess...
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