Jayden Daniels Injury Update, Return Timeline Provided by HC Before Commanders vs. Giants

The Washington Commanders are off to a 1-3 start this season, but they received some welcome news as they look to turn things around going into their Week 5 game against the New York Giants.

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday the team expects Jayden Daniels to return from his dislocated left elbow for the upcoming game. 

"The goal is for him to have a full week of practice, a full week and start on Sunday," Quinn said.

Daniels suffered the injury during Washington's Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys but returned to practice ahead of the Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

While he didn't play, he traveled with the team to London and seemed to be making strides toward a return to the field. And Quinn confirmed the plan is for him to be back in the lineup for an important divisional contest.

Marcus Mariota led the Commanders to a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 but suffered an MCL injury against the Colts. That forced the team to turn toward seventh-round draft pick Athan Kaliakmanis, which surely wasn't the plan coming into the campaign.

Kaliakmanis threw a handful of impressive deep passes, but he also threw an interception and struggled at times against the Indianapolis defense in a 30-13 loss.

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Washington needs Daniels back and healthy if it is going to overcome its slow start and get back into the NFC East race. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in his first season in 2024 but was limited to just seven games last season.

He is dealing with injury concerns again this year, although ESPN's John Keim reported last week the plan is for the quarterback to wear a different brace this time around that "keeps his elbow slightly bent to prevent another dislocation."

The Commanders need a victory over the Giants because they face the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams in a daunting stretch of three games after playing New York.

If they lose to the divisional foe, the season may slip away from them even with Daniels back under center.