When is Jayden Daniels coming back? Elbow recovery timeline, return date for Commanders QB

When is Jayden Daniels coming back? Elbow recovery timeline, return date for Commanders QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has had a disappointing second season, as he has dealt with a variety of injuries.

Most recently, Daniels suffered a left elbow injury on "Sunday Night Football" that knocked him out indefinitely. While the Commanders have been moving forward with Marcus Mariota as their starting quarterback, they are holding out hope that Daniels could return before the end of the year.

Daniels' injury wasn't as bad as anticipated, leaving the door open for his potential return in the coming weeks.

Here's the latest on Daniels' injury.

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When is Jayden Daniels coming back?

The Commanders didn't place Daniels on injured reserve, so the quarterback is eligible to return whenever he is healthy. While it initially appeared that Daniels' injury could keep him sidelined for the rest of the year, Daniels ended up not needing surgery, which means he should be able to return this year.

Daniels missed Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, then Washington went on its bye week.

Still, after the Commanders' return from the bye in Week 13, Daniels is "unlikely" to play against the Denver Broncos, per Adam Schefter. However, Daniels will return to practice in Week 13, a potentially good sign for his Week 14 availability.

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What is Jayden Daniels' injury?

In the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow on a scramble play as his left arm got caught under his body. Medical staff stabilized Daniel's arm and helped him off the field.

After further evaluation, doctors determined that Daniels didn't suffer any ligament damage, which meant that the quarterback didn't need to undergo surgery.

Dislocated elbow recovery timeline

While dislocated elbows appear to be serious, players are often able to recover from them quicker than expected. If a player suffers a dislocated elbow that doesn't require surgery, like Daniels, that player could return around a month after the injury occurred.

Therefore, Daniels should be cleared for return at some point in December if Washington chooses to have him finish the season. The Commanders decided not to put Daniels on injured reserve, a sign that he could be able to return within four games of the injury.

MORE: Breaking down Why Commanders DT Daron Payne was suspended

Commanders schedule 2025

Date

Opponent

Time (ET)

TV Channel

11/30

vs. Broncos

8:20 p.m.

NBC

12/7

@ Vikings

1:00 p.m.

Fox

12/14

@ Giants

1:00 p.m.

Fox

12/20

vs. Eagles

TBD

Fox

12/25

vs. Cowboys

1:00 p.m.

Netflix

TBD

@ Eagles

TBD

TBD