The Commanders are inching closer to getting their star quarterback back on the field. Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Jayden Daniels would practice with the team in London this week as they prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Quinn did not confirm whether or Daniels would be available for the upcoming game, but said the third-year signal-caller would practice “in some form and fashion.”
Daniels has not played since dislocating his left elbow during a Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys. The injury marked his second issue with the joint in less than a year.
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He originally dislocated the non-throwing elbow during a loss to the Seahawks last November. The initial injury sidelined Daniels for a month, but he missed the final four games after reaggravating the dislocation upon his return.
Quinn was vague about what factors would prove that Daniels is ready to play after just a week off.
“Just a return-to-play process that we set forth,” the coach said. “It’s different than just running and throwing. It’s the whole process for it, but he’ll definitely be participating in some fashion. … I’m excited to get him back out on the practice field.”
The Commanders fly to London on Tuesday night with a light practice on Wednesday before more intense training sessions on Thursday and Friday.
Quinn refused to place a deadline on when the team would decide whether to start Daniels or backup Marcus Mariota.
Mariota performed admirably during his first start of the season in Sunday’s 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran threw for 183 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers.
Injuries have continued to dominate conversations about the Commanders this season, just as they did during the disastrous 2025 campaign.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, linebacker Jordan Magee, defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and cornerback Trey Amos found their way to injured reserve before the regular season began.
Starters such as linebacker Frankie Luvu, tight end Chig Okonkwo, safety Nick Cross, quarterback Jayden Daniels and right guard Sam Cosmi missed Week 3 due to a growing list of injuries. However, Luvu and Okonkwo will travel to London and practice alongside Daniels, though their status remains in doubt for Week 4.
The injury list won’t stop growing.
Linebacker Leo Chenal, who was filling in for Luvu in the starting lineup, left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a scary neck injury. The 25-year-old suffered a fractured bone in his neck, according to multiple reports.
Play stopped for several minutes and teammates surrounded him as medical personnel strapped him to a backboard and took him to an area hospital. Chenal underwent successful surgery on Monday, but he’s expected to miss the remainder of the season.
“That’s a big deal. He is a great teammate and has been a really significant addition for us, both on and off the field,” Quinn said of Chenal, who signed in Washington as a free agent this offseason.
Second-year linebacker Kain Medrano played the first defensive snaps of his career in Chenal’s stead. He had a career day that featured a game-winning interception return for a touchdown.
Commanders officials said they aren’t looking to add linebacking help at this time, instead rolling with Medrano and practice squad players such as Austin Keys to anchor the middle of the field alongside rookie Sonny Styles.
The same can’t be said for the running back position. Running back Rachaad White was temporarily sidelined against the Seahawks with a shoulder issue, though he later returned to the field and finished the game.
The Commanders signed veteran Austin Ekeler to the 53-man roster on Monday, adding another option in the backfield.
Ekeler would provide some insurance behind White as a similarly reliable pass-catching option. The 31-year-old spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Washington, appearing in 14 games with 410 rushing yards and 404 receiving yards.
“We’ll get him into the mix and see what the next three days look like,” Quinn said of Ekeler, who would have to learn Blough’s new playbook before Sunday’s game. “It’s very cool to have Austin here. Great teammate and really one well-respected teammate here.”
Washington’s running back depth was already limited in the preseason by an injury to veteran Jeremy McNichols, who remains on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury.
The 1-2 Commanders look to reach the .500 mark when they kick off against the Colts at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
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