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 elbow. The injury, which occurred during the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, has kept Daniels sidelined, but the team traveled to London ahead of their Sunday showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.
Daniels, the former No. 2 overall draft pick, missed the Week 3 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 threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns on 19‑of‑31 passing, the organization has been closely monitoring Daniels’ rehabilitation progress. On Wednesday, Daniels completed a light jog while wearing a protective brace, a sign that his healing is moving forward, though head coach Dan Quinn emphasized that there is no rush to return him to game action. "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. "Seeing him back on the field is a positive step, but we’ll make a decision based on his health, not the schedule." Quinn added that it is still "too early to call" whether Daniels will be cleared for the London matchup, which kicks off a three‑game series the NFL has scheduled in the United Kingdom over the next month. "As we get into Thursday and Friday, we’ll see what that load looks like," Quinn explained.
"By Friday we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at. Until then, we’ll keep working and start the process, but it would be too early to call." The Colts arrive in London after a narrow 19‑17 win over the Houston Texans, and they will be in town two days later than the Commanders. Both teams will have a week to acclimate to the time change and the unique atmosphere of an overseas game. Daniels’ elbow woes are not new.
He suffered a similar dislocation in Week 9 of last season and re‑injured the same elbow five weeks later, causing him to miss the final four games of that campaign. In addition to the elbow setbacks, Daniels also dealt with knee and hamstring issues that disrupted a rookie season that earned him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
"His drive is always strong to return to play," Quinn said. "Any athlete would probably tell you when you’re going through something a second time there’s a known road map. He knows what the process looks like, the mobility and the strength needed, and there’s a clear point when you’re truly ready." The upcoming contest will mark the 43rd regular‑season NFL game played in the United Kingdom since the league first ventured overseas in 2007.
For Quinn, however, it will be his inaugural experience coaching a game on English soil. "This is my first game as a coach in England and I’m pumped to be here," he said.
"People often ask what’s different about international games—travel, customs, the venue. What I try to emphasize to the team is that many things stay the same: our Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routines. That’s why we come early—to get back into our normal preparation. The quicker we settle into that, the less we focus on the differences." The Commanders will be looking to maintain the momentum generated by Mariota’s performance while hoping to have Daniels back under center.
If Daniels is cleared, his presence could provide a significant boost to Washington’s offense, which has shown flashes of brilliance despite the injury setbacks. If he remains sidelined, the team will likely continue to rely on Mariota’s experience and the depth of its receiving corps to keep the offense competitive against a Colts squad that has been solid on both sides of the ball. Fans tuning in from both sides of the Atlantic can catch the game live on Sky Sports, which will also broadcast the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, the playoffs, and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 14, 2027. Sky Sports offers various subscription options, including a no‑contract streaming service through NOW, ensuring that viewers can follow the action without missing a beat.
The London game promises to deliver the excitement of NFL football in a unique setting, and whether Daniels will take the snaps remains the key storyline heading into kickoff.