Washington's starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was spotted on the practice field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Commanders continue to manage his recovery from a dislocated left elbow. The injury, which occurred during the Week Two loss to the Dallas Cowboys, has kept Daniels sidelined, but the team has traveled to London ahead of their upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts. Daniels, the former No. 2 overall draft pick, missed the previous weekend's victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which veteran Marcus Mariota stepped in and guided Washington to a 33-31 upset over the defending Super Bowl champions.
While Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, the organization is eager to see if Daniels can return to action soon. On Wednesday, Daniels participated in a light jog while wearing a protective brace, a clear sign that the coaching staff is allowing him to progress cautiously.
Head coach Dan Quinn emphasized that there will be no rush to place Daniels back on the field before he is fully ready. "We won't put him out there before he's ready. That's why it's important to trust the process," Quinn told the media.
"But seeing him back on the field is a positive step for us." When asked about Daniels' availability for Sunday’s game—the first of three NFL contests scheduled in London over the next month—Quinn said it was still too early to make a definitive call. "As we get into Thursday and Friday, we'll see what that load looks like," he explained.
"By Friday we'll have a definite determination of where we're at. Until then, we'll work and start the process, but it would be too early to call." The Colts, coming off a narrow 19-17 win over the Houston Texans, are set to arrive in London two days after the Commanders, giving both squads ample time to acclimate to the overseas environment.
This will be Quinn's inaugural experience coaching a regular‑season game on English soil; he admitted he was "pumped" to be there and stressed that the focus will be on maintaining the team's usual preparation routine rather than fixating on the novelty of an international venue. "People often ask what's different about international games—travel, customs, the stadium—but the thing I want to emphasise is what's exactly the same: our anchors for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday preparation. The quicker we get back into that process, the less we worry about what's different," he said. Daniels' elbow injury is not his first setback of this nature.
He suffered a similar dislocation in Week Nine of the previous season and then re‑injured the same elbow five weeks later, causing him to miss the final four games of that campaign. In addition to the elbow woes, Daniels also dealt with knee and hamstring issues during his rookie year, a season that nonetheless culminated in him being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. "His drive is always strong to return to play," Quinn added. "Any athlete would probably tell you when you're going through something a second time there's a known entity of what the road looks like.
He knows the process, the mobility, the strength required. There's a known entity of when you're ready." The London game will mark the 43rd regular‑season NFL contest held in the United Kingdom since the league first ventured across the Atlantic in 2007. While the setting offers a unique backdrop for players and fans alike, the Commanders are determined to treat it like any other road trip, focusing on the fundamentals of preparation, film study, and practice. If Daniels is cleared to play, his presence could provide a significant boost to Washington's offensive scheme, which has relied heavily on his dual‑threat capabilities—combining a strong arm with the ability to extend plays with his legs.
Even in his limited action this season, Daniels has demonstrated poise in the pocket and an instinct for reading defenses, traits that could be crucial against a Colts defense that has shown resilience in close games. Should the medical staff decide to hold him out, Marcus Mariota will likely continue as the starter, offering a seasoned perspective and a proven track record of managing games against high‑powered opponents. Either scenario presents an intriguing storyline for the London audience, who will witness a blend of youthful potential and veteran leadership on the field.
Regardless of the final roster decision, the Commanders' trip to England underscores the NFL's broader strategy to expand its global footprint, delivering live football experiences to fans outside North America. For Washington, the trip also serves as a valuable opportunity to test its adaptability, cohesion, and mental toughness in an unfamiliar environment—qualities that will be essential as the season progresses toward the playoffs. Fans watching from home can catch the live broadcast on Sky Sports, which will also carry the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, the playoffs, and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 14, 2027. Additional streaming options are available through the NOW platform, offering flexible, contract‑free access to every moment of the league's action.