Jayden Daniels’ journey through his elbow dislocation 11 days ago has been a rollercoaster ride, especially if you saw how the injury happened, and the concern that it ended his season prematurely. But we’ve reached the point where the Washington Commanders quarterback is talking to the media again and even suggesting he might play on Sunday.
Daniels, in London with his teammates for the game against the Indianapolis Colts, faced reporters for the first time since his injury on Sept. 20 and was almost immediately asked if he could play this week.
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“It feels good,” Daniels said of his left elbow, which was also dislocated last season. “Feels good to be back and, you know, taking it day by day.”
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders looks on before being carted off the field after sustaining an injury against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 20, 2026. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Daniels has practiced the past two days to varying degrees. Is he surprised that he’s been able to get back on the field this soon?
“What you think?” Daniels playfully responded to the question. “I’m not surprised. No, everything I went through, you know, everybody said, I’d be good to go if I’m able to go out there on Sunday, but again, just taking it day by day.”
So, um, the money question: Is he indeed playing on Sunday?
Daniels smiled.
” Just taking the day by day,” he replied.
Washington Commanders players watch as medical staff attend to Jayden Daniels #5 in the second quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 20, 2026. (Getty Images)
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Looking for a no, in that response. Not there.
In fact, a source close to Daniels told OutKick that while he is “not pushing coaches” to play on Sunday, that is exactly what he wants to do.
But it’s not ultimately his decision. Coach Dan Quinn on Wednesday said the team wants to gauge how Daniels looks in practices this week before making a final decision on whether to start backup Marcus Mariota or return Daniels to the lineup.
“As we’re working through the week, he’ll get more [repetitions in practice],” Quinn said. “It’s part of our return-to-play process where guys do individual, that kind of limited portion, then some of the team reps and then more.
“As we get into Thursday and Friday, we’ll see what that load looks like. And by Friday, we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels lies on the field with an apparent left arm injury during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 20, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Looking for the part where Quinn says Daniels is out. Not there.
It does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that while in London, the Commanders are sounding almost hopeful about their starting quarterback’s status. And part of that is leaving the door ajar for his return this week.
This is a bit surprising because in the days after the elbow injury, there was a real possibility Daniels could require surgery and be out the remainder of the season.
Then Daniels met with multiple medical experts and decided wearing a brace, while affecting the functionality to his non-throwing arm, would be acceptable. His return to play is not a pain tolerance issue.
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders looks on before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Aug. 14, 2026. (Getty Images)
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So, Daniels decided to return – be that this week or the next, barring a setback.
“I love football. I play football,” Daniels said in explaining his reason for returning. “I mean, I get paid to play football, so, I went to my teammates and stuff like that to see that everybody’s hurting. Something’s wrong with everybody on this team.
“So, I just feel like just for me, just being a leader, being a guy, just going out there and, give it my shot to go out there and play and obviously protect myself, you know, stuff like that.
“But, you know, I just love football. I have a passion for it.”
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