LONDON — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels traveled with the team to London and will participate in a limited "jog-through" on Wednesday, keeping alive a chance he plays Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in London. Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters there is still "a chance" Daniels suits up in Week 4, but added, "We're not going to put him out there before he's ready." Daniels missed Sunday's 33-31 win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, with backup Marcus Mariota starting in his place.
Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow in his non-throwing arm in Week 2, knocking him out of Washington's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It is the same elbow he dislocated and re-injured last season, and the injury came just two weeks before the London trip. The team never gave a specific timetable, but declined to place Daniels on injured reserve, indicating hope for a return in fewer than four weeks. General manager Adam Peters revealed last week that "surgery is not on the table," and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that consultations with medical specialists concluded Daniels is "expected back at three weeks or sooner." A return against the Colts would fall within that timeline.
Quinn said linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) were also expected to travel and practice this week after being sidelined. The news was more serious for linebacker Leo Chenal, who underwent season-ending neck surgery Monday morning. Quinn confirmed the procedure "went well." Chenal sustained the injury Sunday against the Seahawks after taking contact to his head, was placed on a stabilizing backboard and carted off the field, but had movement in his extremities as he was carted off.
Chenal, 25, joined the Commanders from the Chiefs in the offseason and started at inside linebacker. Washington is 1-2 following the upset win over Seattle and faces the Colts and Giants before a tougher stretch in Weeks 6-8 against the 49ers, Eagles and Rams, a window where the Commanders would like Daniels back sooner rather than later.