The quarterback is on track to face the Giants, but the roster around him is in dire straits.
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LONDON — Standing in front of a Washington Commanders backdrop at a fan event in a crowded London bar, owner Josh Harris called quarterback Jayden Daniels a “warrior” multiple times. The comparisons between the gridiron and the battlefield are overused, but it felt fitting given what Daniels has gone through — and what he’s decided to endure.
No one would’ve blamed Daniels if had he decided to undergo season-ending surgery after suffering the second dislocation of his left elbow Sept. 20. But after meeting with specialists, the third-year quarterback elected to forego a procedure.
Then, just 10 days after his elbow bent the wrong way — for the second time in less than a year — he was practicing. The bulky brace on his left arm looked straight out of “The Terminator.” It drew a lot of jokes on social media, but it also drove home what he’s willing to play through.
“He’s an incredibly important part of our franchise moving forward,” Harris said. “He was right back up and right back at it. He’s a warrior.”
Daniels didn’t play in the Commanders’ 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he’s trending toward suiting up against the visiting New York Giants next weekend. Coach Dan Quinn said he expects Daniels to be a full participant in practice this week. Barring a setback, that means he’ll play.
It goes without saying that Washington (1-3) is a much better team with Daniels on the field, but his return in itself won’t be enough to right the course. Quarterback, after all, was far from the only issue against the Colts.
Beyond Daniels, Washington was decimated by injuries. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was inactive after suffering a hamstring injury during practice Friday. Right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion) and safety Nick Cross (internal) didn’t even make the trip to London.
The injuries continued to pile up after kickoff. Quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a right knee injury when he was sacked midway through the first quarter and missed the rest of the game. Mariota, who aggravated the MCL he sprained during the Commanders’ preseason opener Aug. 14, will undergo an MRI exam early this week to determine the severity.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis replaced Mariota. He connected on a couple of nice passes downfield but struggled overall in his NFL debut. If Mariota misses time, Kaliakmanis will probably serve as Daniels’s backup.
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Defensive end Charles Omenihu (groin), kick returner Jaylin Lane (ankle) and special teams ace Tyler Owens (hamstring) were also knocked out of the game. The players and coaches won’t use the injuries as an excuse, but that’s a lot to endure.
Perhaps the most affected unit is the offensive line. Without Cosmi and left tackle Laremy Tunsil (torn triceps), its play has been rough. Washington averaged just 4.2 yards per carry on designed runs against the Colts and frequently allowed Mariota and Kaliakmanis to be pressured.
If Daniels is playing through an injury, an unreliable offensive line is a pressing concern. Cosmi may return this week, which would give the big guys up front a much-needed jolt.
“For us, having the run game is going to be a big deal,” Quinn said. “… That’s the sweet spot: Where you can balance both of them together. We don’t have to make it where [Daniels] is a drop-back player and it’s, ‘Hey, do all your magic every time.’”
The wide receiver group was productive without McLaurin, but it’ll still hurt Daniels’s ability to make plays if his top target misses additional time.
“It was best to hold him out,” Quinn said of McLaurin. “He desperately wanted to go.”
The health of Cosmi and McLaurin notwithstanding, Daniels will be entering a substandard situation the next time he takes the field. Although he’s shown the ability overcome such circumstances, he hasn’t done so consistently since his rookie year.
It’s not necessarily fair to Daniels, but that’s the player the Commanders will need to salvage this season.
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