ASHBURN, Va. — Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is back with a newly healed left elbow, a brace to accompany it and, perhaps, a new catchphrase.
At his news conference Wednesday ahead of Washington's matchup with the New York Giants, Daniels relayed his new mentality for this week’s game and potentially the remainder of the season.
“I’m going to embrace the brace,” Daniels said.
If he starts at home against the Giants (3-1), Daniels would be returning to the lineup three weeks after he dislocated his left elbow when he tried to brace himself on a fall against Dallas in Week 2. It was the second elbow dislocation for Daniels, who missed most of the second half of last season with the same injury.
Daniels was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, indicating he is on track to start. He sported a brace on his left arm during practice that he'll wear moving forward.
The team has also been focused on ways in which Daniels can protect himself as he prepares for his expected return, coach Dan Quinn said before practice.
“Think of it like a running back who clasps the ball,” Quinn said. “Rolling to the ground. I thought of him as that player, and that’s the way we explained it. Those are honestly just some practice drills that we’ll be doing today. It’s definitely something we talk about. We’re going to practice it, and this is him moving forward and how we’ll play.”
While making sure he doesn’t put himself in precarious spots is paramount, the brace is meant to offer protection when Daniels needs it to prevent the recurring dislocation.
“Just trying to get used to it, it’s kind of part of me now,” Daniels said of the brace. “For the time being, as long as I’m on that field. Just getting used to it, trying to find the different ways where it’s most comfortable and I’m not really just thinking about it, I’m out there playing.”
Daniels later added that he’s still trying to get used to the protection for his arm and find the ways in which it’s most comfortable for him to wear and play effectively with. He wore a different kind of brace last season after he first dislocated the elbow.
Giants coach John Harbaugh says his team is preparing for Daniels to start, and players are well aware of the situation.
“With the injury he has, we want him to run,” Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter said. “We kind of encourage it, just to see how he reacts. Is he going to play comfortably? Is he going to play normal?”
Daniels has completed 56.9% of his passes this season and has thrown for 260 yards through a game and a half. He’s also rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries.
Mariota and McLaurin miss practice
The Commanders (1-3) turned to Marcus Mariota in Daniels’ absence. But Mariota suffered an MCL injury in Washington's loss to the Colts last Sunday in London and was replaced by rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
Mariota will not be placed on injured reserve, Quinn said, though he did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
No matter who is throwing the ball for Washington on Sunday, it’s unclear if receiver Terry McLaurin will return to potentially help out his usual starting quarterback.
He popped up on the injury report late last week and missed the game against the Colts with a hamstring injury. McLaurin did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Receiver Stefon Diggs also sat out practice with a hamstring issue.
