The Commanders quarterback was back at practice 10 days after suffering his second dislocation.
Read more Caps come out swinging to beat Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2, in season opener
WATFORD, England — When Jayden Daniels realized he had dislocated his left elbow — again — the Washington Commanders quarterback could only feel frustration. After a rough game to open the NFL season, he was in the midst of a resurgent performance in the first half on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
Just as Daniels started to feel comfortable coming off an injury-riddled sophomore season, he would be sidelined once again.
“I felt like I was getting my groove and rhythm and everything, and then that happened,” he said Thursday.
Once Daniels processed his irritation, his focus shifted to how he had come back.
“From there, it was really just, ‘I got through this once,’” Daniels said. “‘I can get through it again.’”
Just 10 days after Daniels got hurt Sept. 20, he returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday. Daniels was limited again Thursday but said his elbow felt “good.”
“I’m just taking it day by day,” he said.
Commanders Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Friday that Daniels won’t play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Earlier in the week, he said Daniels’s status would depend on the functionality and strength of his left (non-throwing) arm. Speaking Friday, Quinn said he wanted to see Daniels as a full practice participant before clearing him, but he expressed optimism about the quarterback’s progress.
“That’s a huge positive step for us and for him,” Quinn said.
This is the second time Daniels has suffered a dislocated left elbow. The first, which came last November, forced him to miss a month. After Daniels wore a brace when he returned last year, he’s now wearing a much bulkier brace that doesn’t allow him to fully extend his left arm.
“It’s going to be an adjustment period,” Daniels said, “but it just feels good to go back out there and really just play football again.”
Daniels didn’t suffer any fractures or significant ligament damage in his left arm. He decided to forgo surgery after meeting with specialists last week.
“I love football,” Daniels said. “I get paid to play football. Everybody’s hurting. Something’s wrong with everybody on this team. For me, it’s just being a leader and being a guy to just go out there and give it my shot to play. Obviously, I’ll protect myself and stuff like that, but I just love football and I have a passion for it.”
Read more In Kardashian world, youth sports parents are even more insufferable
Daniels said he’s not worried about dislocating his left elbow for a third time, but he didn’t rule out surgery in the offseason.
“I got to wait until after the season and see what the doctors say and everything,” Daniels said. “I’ll make the decision that’s best for me.”
With Daniels ruled out, Washington will start quarterback Marcus Mariota for the second straight game. Mariota led the Commanders to a 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
Asked about not knowing which quarterback he was game-planning for, offensive coordinator David Blough responded: “The sooner, in our profession, is certainly better. But we are certainly here in these roles to adapt and be versatile and be fluid. That’s our job: to be able to have the contingencies.”
Blough noted that the similarities in Daniels’s and Mariota’s skill sets — they’re both mobile quarterbacks who have the arm talent to push the ball downfield — made that process easier.
“We’re very fortunate to have a backup who kind of mirrors the skill set of the starter,” Blough said. “It’s fairly similar.”
Running back Rachaad White didn’t practice all week because of a shoulder injury and was ruled out for Sunday.
The other running backs on the active roster are Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen and Austin Ekeler, who signed with the team this week. Running back Robert Henry Jr. could get called up from the practice squad.
Offensive linemen Lucas Patrick (ankle) and Nick Allegretti (hip); tight ends Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) and Ben Sinnott (rib); defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (shoulder) and Charles Omenihu (ankle); and linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) joined Daniels as limited practice participants.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin suffered a hamstring injury during practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Read more L.A. Olympics chief Casey Wasserman presses on after Epstein fallout
