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Daniels has chance to start for Commanders vs. Colts in London despite elbow injury, Quinn says
Daniels has chance to start for Commanders vs. Colts in London despite elbow injury, Quinn says
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WATFORD, England — Ten days after dislocating his left elbow, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field wearing a brace and a smile.
Could he actually start against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Maybe.
Washington coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday it’s “too early to call” if Daniels, who was injured in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, would return after missing last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“But as we’re working through the week, he’ll get more reps,” Quinn said at a news conference after the team arrived in the U.K. “As we get into Thursday and Friday, we’ll see what that load looks like.
“By Friday we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at,” Quinn continued. “Until then, we’ll work and start the process, but it would be too early to call.”
Marcus Mariota started last week and threw three touchdown passes in the 33-31 win over defending champion Seattle.
The Commanders' session Wednesday was described by Quinn as a light “jog-through” not in pads. Were it a regular practice, Daniels would have officially been “limited,” the coach explained.
Daniels did some light footwork and passing drills, as well as taking snaps under center and simulating a handoff with the ball in his left, non-throwing hand — all with a big, restrictive brace holding his elbow at an angle.
It's the second elbow dislocation for Daniels, who missed most of the second half of last season with the same injury.
“Any athlete would probably tell you when you are going through something a second time, there’s a known of what the road looks like," Quinn said. "We just don’t know yet.
“We’re not going to put him out there before he’s ready,” he continued. “Him being back on the field is like, man that’s a good step for us, and then we’ll take it from there.”
Mariota, who also filled in for Daniels in Washington's game last season in Madrid, is preparing to start again Sunday. He grew up playing soccer so competing at the home of a Premier League club will be “kind of a cool moment, so I’m looking forward to it.”
But the veteran, in his 12th NFL season, made it clear who QB1 is.
“They’re going make a collective decision that is best for Jayden, and we are going to support that,” Mariota said. “At the end of the day, I think if he’s healthy and he can play — he should play. This is his team.”
He described Daniels, who didn't speak to the media, as being in “good spirits” and “comfortable with where he's at.”
The Commanders lost to the Miami Dolphins 16-13 in overtime last season at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.
Sunday’s game offers another contrast in the sports science debate about when to arrive in a country for an international game.
The Commanders are in town two days before the Colts — a significant but not huge difference.
A year ago, the Los Angeles Rams landed in London just 30 hours before kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who had arrived Tuesday of that week. The Rams then routed the Jags 35-7 at Wembley Stadium.
The Rams took a similar approach for their season opener in Melbourne, Australia, against the San Francisco 49ers, who choose to go Down Under a week in advance. The Niners prevailed 27-7.
The Colts beat the Houston Texans 19-17 last Sunday, ending a nine-game losing streak.
NFL teams typically stay in fancy hotels located far from central London. The Commanders are at The Grove, a luxury hotel 20 miles northwest of the city, and it includes a practice field.
If Quinn or his players get bored with football, they can book horse riding lessons, pumpkin picking or an afternoon tea. Tiger Woods won an event at the hotel's golf course in 2006. They could also do a tour at the nearby Warner Bros. Studio.
“I hope I can go see Big Ben or something,” defensive tackle Daron Payne said.
Running back Rachaad White was still dealing with a shoulder injury and did not practice Wednesday. “He needs more treatment and time and rehab on it,” Quinn said. The Commanders signed veteran RB Austin Ekeler on Monday.
G Sam Cosmi and S Nick Cross did not travel to London.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
