The Washington Commanders have ruled quarterback Jayden Daniels out for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts in London, meaning he will miss a second straight week with a dislocated left elbow.
Marcus Mariota will make his second consecutive start. He led Washington to a 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Daniels was limited in practice all week and worked in a brace that holds his non-throwing elbow slightly bent. He joined individual drills, including footwork and throws that required him to turn his body.
On Thursday, he said ordinary quarterback actions involving his left arm — taking the snap and handing the ball off — had not been a problem, and that the brace is meant to keep the joint from dislocating again.
The injury happened on the final play of the first half in Washington’s Week 2 loss at Dallas. Daniels’ left foot was stepped on as he backed away from center; he stumbled and caught himself with his left arm. It was the second dislocation of that elbow in a year. He first suffered it in Week 9 last season, sat out four games, aggravated it after returning, and was shut down for the rest of the year.
General manager Adam Peters has said surgery is not currently being considered and that injured reserve (IR) has not been discussed.
Daniels, describing the recovery as day-by-day, said he would have chosen surgery if he were worried about another dislocation. The Commanders remain optimistic he could be available as soon as Week 5 against the New York Giants, though an offseason procedure is still viewed as likely.
