Washington’s injury picture got a little clearer Friday, and for Jayden Daniels at least, the news leaned positive.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters said on Sports Junkies that Daniels, who dislocated his left non-throwing elbow in last week’s loss at Dallas, will not need surgery. Washington also hasn’t talked about placing him on injured reserve.
“As of right now, surgery is not on the table, and we haven’t discussed IR (injured reserve),” Peters said. “So, it’s just a matter of how we’re going to get him back on the field, and that’s still to be determined.”
That’s the encouraging part. The less cheerful reality is that Washington is still headed into Sunday’s home opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks with a battered roster and several key names unlikely to help.
Daniels and starting safety Nick Cross have already been ruled out. Cross sustained an internal injury last week but stayed in and finished the game.
The Commanders also came out of that Dallas game with injuries to right guard Sam Cosmi, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and left tackle Brandon Coleman. Coleman has practiced all week and is set to play Sunday. Kinlaw, who hurt his shoulder, still hasn’t practiced this week.
Cosmi’s issue is the most alarming along the offensive line. He suffered a concussion on Washington’s final drive when rookie running back Kaytron Allen accidentally ran into him, and he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Peters added more detail on Friday when asked about Cosmi, tight end Chig Okonkwo and linebacker Frankie Luvu, both of whom missed Week 2.
“With Cosmi and Chig and Luvu, I think it’s going to be a long shot for this week,” Peters said. "Kinlaw is looking a little bit better, and we’ll find out today on the practice how he responds, but I think those are the guys that will be a long shot, at least for this week.”
Asked whether veteran Andrew Wylie might be the answer at right guard, Peters didn’t lock in a specific replacement. He said Washington has several options it feels good about.
That leaves the Commanders, now 0-2, trying to navigate a difficult matchup against a 2-0 Seahawks team with more uncertainty than answers. Luvu is a captain and a central piece of the defense, Okonkwo was one of Washington’s major offseason additions, and Cosmi is the top offensive lineman on the roster outside of the already injured Laremy Tunsil.
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