Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was spotted on the practice field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he continues to rehabilitate an elbow injury ahead of the NFL's ongoing series of games in the United Kingdom. The young signal‑caller suffered a dislocated left elbow during the Week Two clash with the Dallas Cowboys, yet he travelled with the squad to London in preparation for Sunday’s encounter with the Indianapolis Colts. Daniels, who was the No.
2 overall selection in the most recent draft, missed the Commanders’ previous victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which veteran Marcus Mariota stepped in and guided Washington to a 33-31 upset of the defending Super Bowl champions. During a light jog on Wednesday, Daniels sported a protective brace, and head coach Dan Quinn made it clear that the team would not rush his return. "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 for us," Quinn told reporters. Quinn added that it was still "too early to call" whether Daniels would be cleared for Sunday’s game, which kicks off the first of three NFL fixtures scheduled in London over the next month.
"As we move into Thursday and Friday we’ll get a better sense of his workload. By Friday we should have a definitive answer on his status.
Until then we’ll keep him working and progressing, but it would be premature to make a final decision," the coach explained. In the Seahawks game, Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns, earning the win for Washington in Week Three. The Colts, meanwhile, entered the London trip after a 19-17 triumph over the Houston Texans and are slated to arrive in the capital two days later than the Commanders.
Daniels previously endured the same elbow injury in Week Nine of the 2023 season, only to re‑aggravate it five weeks later, causing him to miss the final four games of that campaign. That season was also marred by knee and hamstring setbacks, which interrupted what had begun as a spectacular rookie year that culminated in an Offensive Rookie of the Year award. "His determination to get back on the field is unwavering," Quinn said.
"Any athlete who has to go through a rehab process a second time knows what the road looks like. He’s familiar with the steps, the mobility work, the strength training – there’s a clear picture of when he’ll be ready." Sunday’s matchup will be the 43rd regular‑season NFL game ever played in the United Kingdom since the league’s inaugural overseas contest in 2007, and it marks a personal milestone for Coach Quinn. "This is my first game as a head coach in England and I’m thrilled to be here," Quinn remarked.
"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 routine on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, our preparation habits, our focus.
That’s why we arrive early – to get back into our normal process quickly, so the differences become less of a distraction." The stakes are high for Daniels. If he is cleared, he will have the chance to regain his starting role and demonstrate that his recovery is complete, while also giving the Commanders a chance to evaluate his long‑term health ahead of the remainder of the season. If he remains sidelined, Mariota will continue to lead the offense, providing the team with a seasoned veteran who has already proven capable of managing high‑pressure situations. Beyond the immediate health concerns, the London game offers a broader narrative about the NFL’s push to grow its global footprint.
The league has invested heavily in creating a festival‑like atmosphere for overseas fans, and teams travel with full support staffs to ensure that players can adapt to the time‑zone shift and unique stadium conditions. For the Commanders, the early arrival allows them to acclimate to the local environment, run practice sessions on the same field where the game will be played, and fine‑tune their game plan against a Colts unit that has shown resilience in recent weeks. Fans in the UK will get to see a blend of emerging talent and veteran experience, with the added drama of a potential comeback story for Daniels.
The outcome of the game could influence the Commanders’ playoff aspirations, as every win becomes more valuable in a competitive conference. Regardless of the final decision on Daniels’ status, the team’s focus remains on executing their game plan, staying disciplined on both sides of the ball, and making the most of the unique opportunity to compete on an international stage.
As the NFL continues to expand its reach, moments like these – a young quarterback battling back from injury, a seasoned coach embracing his first overseas game, and a passionate fan base cheering from across the pond – underscore the growing global appeal of America’s favorite sport. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with full coverage of the 2026 NFL season, including every playoff game and the Super Bowl scheduled for February 14, 2027.
Viewers can also stream the action via NOW without a contract, taking advantage of the latest Sky Sports deals for an uninterrupted viewing experience.