What Is Jayden Daniels' Timeline to Return from Injury? Latest Buzz on Commanders QB

Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels is still without a definitive date for his return from his elbow injury.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn ruled out Daniels for Sunday Night Football against the Denver Broncos.

Quinn did note Daniels has made "great progress" from a dislocated elbow, but he has not yet been cleared for contact. Marcus Mariota will make his third straight start and sixth overall this season.

Quinn announced earlier this week that Daniels would return to practice, but added that he hadn't been cleared for contact and was considered "a long shot" to play in the game.

Daniels has been sidelined since dislocating his left, non-throwing elbow on Nov. 2 in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He didn't require surgery and wasn't placed on IR. Quinn said that while there were no internal discussions about shutting him down for the season, the team had no plans of rushing his recovery.

"It's important that Jayden's getting going, learning to play this position at the highest level competitively," Quinn said. "Also doing it safely. Those are reps that you develop as well. It's a skill just like throwing and processing. All those things are important."

Daniels has been banged up multiple times throughout the 2025 campaign, also missing games due to knee and hamstring injuries. The 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has not been as dominant as his stellar first season, throwing for 1,184 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 262 rushing yards and two more scores in his six starts.

Without Daniels, the Commanders turned to veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota to lead the offense. Washington is carrying a six-game losing streak into its matchup against Denver.

Mariota has thrown for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in seven total appearances this season.