Injured quarterback Jayden Daniels traveled with the Washington Commanders to London and is set to participate in a “jog-through” in a limited capacity, head coach Dan Quinn shared with reporters Wednesday.
The Commanders will play the Indianapolis Colts in London on Sunday, just two weeks after Daniels suffered an elbow injury for the second time over the past two seasons.
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Linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) were also expected to travel and practice this week after being sidelined with injuries.
Could Daniels return to play in Week 4?
Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in his non-throwing arm in Week 2 and missed Sunday’s win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Backup Marcus Mariota started at quarterback in the 33-31 win.
The injury is to the same elbow that Daniels dislocated and re-injured last season. However, flying Daniels to London and having him available to practice indicates they’re not quite ready to rule him out for Sunday’s contest against the Colts.
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Quinn confirmed as much to reporters Wednesday, saying that there is still “a chance” Daniels could play in Week 4, but “We’re not going to put him out there before he’s ready.”
Jayden Daniels flew with the team to London and is set to practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Colts.
(Kevin Sabitus via Getty Images)
Though the team never gave a specific timetable for Daniels’ return, the Commanders declined to place him on injured reserve, indicating that there’s hope that he could return to the field in fewer than four weeks from his injury.
The injury knocked Daniels out of Washington’s Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and initially raised fears of a long-term absence.
But Commanders general manager Adam Peters revealed last week that “surgery is not on the table.” And NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that consultations with medical specialists concluded that Daniels is “expected back at three weeks or sooner.”
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A return to face the Colts would fall within that reported timeline, but is obviously far from certain as of Monday.
Washington is 1-2 following Sunday’s upset win. The Commanders have a chance to build on that success with upcoming games against the Colts and Giants before the schedule gets tougher in Weeks 6-8 with games against the 49ers, Eagles and Rams. They’d certainly like to have Daniels back sooner rather than later.
Leon Chenal had neck surgery
Linebacker Leo Chenal, meanwhile, underwent season-ending neck surgery Monday morning. Quinn confirmed the news Monday, telling reporters that the procedure “went well.”
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Chenal sustained his neck injury on Sunday. He was placed on a stabilizing backboard and carted off the field vs. the Seahawks after taking contact to his head. He had movement in his extremities as he was carted off the field.
Chenal, 25, joined the Commanders from the Chiefs in the offseason and started at inside linebacker.
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