That said, they could at least have their full complement of offensive weapons for the final stretch.
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Thursday marked the first time since quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in a “Monday Night Football” loss to the Seattle Seahawks that the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year practiced in full.
If cleared to play Sunday on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, a 3-9 Washington team will have its starting quarterback, its top three receivers and its entire starting offensive line together on the field for the first time this season, according to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Daniels’ second season in the league has been plagued by injuries. The 24-year-old former No. 2 overall pick has started six games and been sidelined in another six with three different issues.
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A sprained left knee cost him a couple of games during the first month of the season. A right hamstring strain kept him out in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
His latest injury, for which head coach Dan Quinn took the blame after keeping his second-year quarterback on the field late in the Commanders’ loss to the Seahawks, was the most concerning of the bunch.
Daniels suffered the injury to his non-throwing arm with just seven and a half minutes left in the 38-14 loss. Washington was trailing by 31 points at the time. Daniels called his own number while under pressure on second-and-goal, but was tackled short of the goal line. As he fell, he extended his left arm to break his fall and that was when the gruesome injury occurred.
As serious as the injury looked, it could have been worse. Daniels’ subsequent MRI revealed no ligament damage, meaning the LSU product did not need surgery.
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Daniels returned to practice last week, but was limited and ultimately ruled out for a “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Denver Broncos. Marcus Mariota continued as the starter in Daniels’ absence. Although the veteran put in an admirable performance, bolstered by the return of star receiver Terry McLaurin, the Commanders fell in overtime for the second straight game.
If Daniels gets the nod this week, he will be tasked with delivering the Commanders’ first victory since Oct. 5, when he led Washington to a road victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in his return from his knee injury.
The Commanders will face a Vikings team that is ready to get its own quarterback back. JJ McCarthy has cleared concussion protocol and is on track to take the field on Sunday.