Washington’s starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was spotted on the practice fields at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this week as the Commanders continue to assess his recovery from a dislocated left elbow. The injury, which occurred during the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, has kept Daniels sidelined, but the team flew him to London ahead of their upcoming clash with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Daniels, the former No.
2 overall draft pick, missed the previous weekend’s dramatic 33‑31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which veteran backup Marcus Mariota stepped in and threw three touchdown passes to secure the win against the defending Super Bowl champions. While Daniels participated in a light jog‑through on Wednesday wearing a protective brace, head coach Dan Quinn emphasized that there would be no rush to return him to full‑speed action.
"We won’t put him out there before he’s ready. That’s why it’s important to trust the process.
Seeing him back on the field is a positive sign, but we’ll make the final call when we have all the information," Quinn told the media. Quinn added that it was still "too early to call" whether Daniels would be cleared for Sunday’s game, the first of three NFL contests scheduled in London over the next month.
"As we get into Thursday and Friday, we’ll see what the workload looks like. By Friday we should have a definitive answer on his status. Until then we’ll continue his rehab and monitor his progress," the coach explained.
Mariota’s performance against Seattle was impressive: he completed 19 of 31 attempts for 183 yards and three touchdowns, guiding Washington to a narrow win and keeping the team competitive while Daniels recovers. The Colts, meanwhile, entered the London trip on the back of a 19‑17 victory over the Houston Texans and are slated to arrive two days later than the Commanders, giving Washington a slight head start on practice time.
Daniels’ elbow troubles are not new. He first suffered a similar dislocation in Week 9 of the 2023 season and re‑injured the joint five weeks later, forcing him to miss the final four games of that campaign. That season was also marred by knee and hamstring issues, which limited his ability to build on a stellar rookie year that culminated in the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. "His drive to get back on the field is always strong," Quinn remarked.
"When you go through the same rehab a second time, you become familiar with the road ahead. He knows the milestones for mobility and strength, and he’ll let us know when he feels ready." The upcoming London game will be the 43rd regular‑season NFL contest held in the United Kingdom since the league first ventured overseas in 2007. For Quinn, however, it marks a personal first: his inaugural coaching appearance on English soil.
"I’m pumped to be here," the head coach said. "People often ask what’s different about international games—travel, customs, the venue. What I try to stress to the team is that the fundamentals stay the same: our Wednesday, Thursday and Friday routines. By arriving early we get back into our normal preparation, and the less we focus on the differences, the better we perform." Looking ahead, the Commanders will evaluate Daniels’ condition throughout Thursday’s practice and Friday’s final walkthrough.
If he is cleared, he could make his first appearance of the season in a high‑stakes environment, facing a Colts squad that has shown resilience in close games. Should the medical staff deem more time necessary, Mariota is expected to continue leading the offense, having demonstrated poise under pressure. Beyond the immediate health concerns, Daniels’ situation highlights a broader narrative about the challenges young quarterbacks face when dealing with recurring injuries. The transition from college star to NFL starter is already fraught with pressure, and repeated setbacks can test a player’s mental fortitude as much as their physical resilience.
Quinn’s comments reflect an organizational commitment to patient development rather than hurried returns, a philosophy that may serve Washington well in the long term. Fans watching from both sides of the Atlantic will have the opportunity to see how the Commanders adapt their game plan based on the quarterback situation. Whether Daniels steps onto the field or Mariota continues at the helm, the London matchup promises to be a compelling chapter in the NFL’s growing international footprint.
For those interested in following the action, the 2026 NFL season, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl LXI slated for February 14, 2027, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Viewers can also stream games without a contract via NOW, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals for a seamless viewing experience.