Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will travel to London, could play against Colts

Join the huddle. Sign up here for Commanders updates in your inbox.

Just a week after traveling across the country seeing specialists for his dislocated elbow, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels will return to the practice field.

Daniels, the Commanders’ oft-injured star, will travel with the team to London this week and participate in some football activities, head coach Dan Quinn said.

That does not necessarily mean that Daniels will play against the Colts on Sunday, but it opens the door for a return.

“Once we get there [to Thursday or Friday] that will give us a little indication of where we are at,” Quinn said of Daniels’ availability. “Just the fact that we are working back into that space [of him playing] gives me optimism about where we are at and the health of the team.”

Daniels dislocated his left elbow against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. He spent the next few days in New York and Los Angeles, seeing specialists about next steps. They decided against having surgery right now, which would have cost him significant time rehabbing.

This is the third time Daniels has injured his left elbow in his last four games. He initially dislocated the elbow last year against the Seahawks in Week 9, forcing him to miss four weeks. He returned against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14, only to aggravate the injury after falling on his arm. He was shut down for the season.

Quinn said this return could be quicker than his initial recovery.

“Hearing from the medical team about where he’s at and how [he] is doing, that’s the difference,” he said. “Just following the guidelines that are set for him going through the process of getting the opinions that kind of set the plan in motion. So we will stick to that.”

Washington will spend the week in London, going through their normal practice schedule overseas.

On Sunday, the Commanders started backup quarterback Marcus Mariota against the Seahawks. The veteran quarterback guided Washington to its first win of the season, putting together a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Leo Chenal out for season

Commanders linebacker Leo Chenal was carted off the field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday after suffering a neck injury.

He was taken to a nearby hospital but had feeling in all of his extremities.

A day later, doctors determined that Chenal needed surgery on his neck, ending his season. Quinn said the surgery was successful.

Chenal, a third-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, is in his first season in D.C. after playing the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chenal signed a three-year deal this offseason worth $24.75 million, hoping to be a centerpiece of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ scheme. He started the last two games, recording a career-high 12 tackles against the Dallas Cowboys last week.

Chenal was injured on a hit against Seattle running back Emanuel Wilson. The linebacker lowered his head and hit near Wilson’s thigh.

Quinn said after the game the team was worried about Chenal but relieved to hear that he had movement in his arms and legs.

“We are definitely thinking of him,” Quinn said. “He’s a great teammate. We love him. Anytime a guy gets banged up like that, you are thinking of him and pulling for him as much as you can.”