Jayden Daniels is trending toward a return at exactly the right moment for Washington, and the Commanders have one extra detail to monitor when he gets back on the field: he’ll do it wearing a protective brace on his injured left elbow.
Daniels is expected to play Sunday against the New York Giants after missing time with the injury, and his full participation in Wednesday’s practice was the clearest sign yet that he’s on track. That’s a big lift for a Washington offense trying to find its footing again, especially with a quarterback who changes the shape of the game every time he’s healthy.
The elbow issue started in Washington’s Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys, when Daniels hurt his non-throwing arm. Since then, the Commanders have been working through his recovery carefully, and Wednesday brought the kind of update they were hoping for. He practiced fully while already wearing the brace he plans to use on Sunday, and coach Dan Quinn said Daniels is expected to start against the Giants if there are no setbacks.
That brace is going to draw plenty of attention, but the bigger question is how Daniels handles the workload around it. His ability to move, extend plays and create outside the pocket is a huge part of what Washington gets from him, so the team will want to be sure he can do that comfortably before turning him loose again.
The Commanders know what it looks like when Daniels is forced out for a while. He played only seven games in the 2025 season after dealing with multiple physical setbacks, so Washington has every reason to be cautious this time.
Sunday also brings a familiar opponent. Daniels is 3-0 in his career against the Giants, and before the injury he had already thrown three touchdown passes without an interception this season. That’s the version of Daniels Washington is trying to get back.
In his absence, the Commanders have leaned on other options at quarterback. Marcus Mariota has been part of that mix, though he’s now dealing with a sprained knee.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis has also seen action. Daniels’ return would settle things down at the position in a hurry.
Still, Washington has to keep the bigger picture in mind. The goal isn’t just getting Daniels back for one game; it’s getting him back the right way. Wednesday’s full practice points in that direction, but Sunday is the real test.
If he’s out there against New York, all eyes will be on how he throws, how he moves and how that elbow holds up. The brace will be part of the story, but for Washington the hope is simple: it stays in the background while Daniels does what he does best.
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Jayden Daniels Gives Commanders Hope With One Huge Question Still Lingering
Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field Wednesday and went through a full session after missing two games, a welcome development for a Commanders team that has been trying to navigate life without its rookie quarterback. Washington expects him to play against the New York Giants, and he is doing so with a brace on his elbow, a reminder that even his return comes with a degree of caution.
The bigger concern is what comes after this week. The Commanders still have not signed another quarterback, leaving Daniels as the clear centerpiece of the offense for now, even as there is lingering uncertainty about whether his elbow will need surgery after the season. For a team trying to stay competitive, getting him back matters, but so does whatever happens next with an injury that could follow him well beyond Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Return Wont End This Commanders Problem
Jayden Daniels is set to return after missing two games with an elbow injury, which is obviously a lift for Washington as it tries to steady an offense that has been juggling injuries at a few spots. His presence alone changes the conversation at quarterback, and the Commanders are counting on that to help restore some rhythm after a stretch without him.
The wider issue, though, may still be at receiver, where Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs both missed practice with hamstring injuries. McLaurin has already sat out a recent game, and if both wideouts remain limited, Antonio Williams could keep seeing the heavier workload and targets that have made him a more important part of the passing game than anyone expected at this point. [Read more 🡒]
Terry McLaurin Setback Puts Two Commanders Questions Back In Focus
Terry McLaurins hamstring issue is back in the foreground for Washington, and the Commanders are being careful with one of their most important players. He missed a game earlier because of the same problem, and now he has sat out the first two days of practice again as the team takes a cautious approach to his recovery.
The timing only sharpens the bigger questions around McLaurin, who has two years left on his deal and remains central to Washingtons plans. With no guaranteed money remaining and major cap charges ahead, his health and his contract are now intertwined in a way that makes every setback feel a little more consequential for the Commanders. [Read more 🡒]