Jayden Daniels is looking to convince the Washington Commanders' coaching and medical staff that he's healthy enough to participate this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. And it took one practice session heading into the contest for the signal-caller to make a statement.
Daniels hasn't been seen in a regular-season setting since dislocating his elbow against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. He returned to practice last week, but the medical staff didn't clear him for contact. The Commanders are right to take every possible precaution, so it's up to the former LSU phenom to leave no doubt.
Fans were anxiously awaiting further news. Daniels started the week without a brace on his arm, although it would be difficult to envisage a scenario where he wouldn't wear some protection on it if he gets the all clear. Still, this was a clear message that he wasn't favoring the elbow as much as he did during his first week at practice.
Jayden Daniels sends clear message, but Commanders won't take unnecessary risks
And with Washington's long-suffering fan base clinging to any positive signs, this was an encouraging development.
Jayden Daniels continues to practice, but not yet cleared for contact per Dan Quinn, says they'll take it all the way to Fri. for a decision
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) December 3, 2025
Noah Brown also practicing, Quinn says the level of optimism for the WR playing Sunday is high@JPFinlayNBCS #RaiseHail #Commanders pic.twitter.com/LmBvR1aMek
Head coach Dan Quinn stated that Daniels will get a lot of reps in the coming days, but his status hasn't changed. The Commanders are planning to ramp up testing in specific areas. They are also going to take it all the way through to the final injury designations.
"Optimistic he'll get a lot of reps in practice, but I'm going to take it all the way through Friday... We'll have to simulate as much as we can... He has not been cleared for contact."Dan Quinn
Daniels wants to play. The debates around whether the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year should be shut down amid a lost season are moot. If he's healthy, the Commanders need their franchise player on the field. And he'd only be too happy to oblige in pursuit of assisting his teammates.
Maybe Daniels was trying to send a message by not wearing a brace on his arm. Perhaps he's just trying to see how it feels to throw without one. There's just no telling for sure, but the No. 2 pick in 2024 is trying to display the urgency and fierce inner drive that propelled him to NFL superstardom as a rookie.
The Commanders won't be making any rash decisions. They aren't pushing for the playoffs or even striving for a winning record at 3-9. Daniels can put on as much pressure as he wants, but that won't change anything.
It's a wait-and-see, step-by-step process until further notice. And it could legitimately go either way.