The Commanders took an optimistic stance Friday on Jayden Daniels' recovery from his latest elbow injury.
"As of right now, surgery is not on the table, and we haven't discussed [injured reserve]," general manager Adam Peters said Friday morning on "The Sports Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan radio. "So it's just a matter of how we're going to get him back on the field. That's still to be determined."
The most notable part of Peters' comment was that Washington doesn't view IR as an option right now, meaning the club expects the quarterback back sooner than a four-week absence that would be required if he goes on IR.
Coach Dan Quinn confirmed later Friday that Daniels will not be placed on IR, as Peters indicated. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year is considered week to week after undergoing imaging and consulting with multiple specialists about the injury to gain clarity on the extent of his absence.
"Like most things, when you want to wait it out, you go through the what-ifs in your head, and sometimes those are worse than the actual news," Quinn said. "What a great bit of news for him and for us."
Daniels went down at the end of the first half of Sunday’s loss to Dallas. After a lineman stepped on him, the QB tried to brace his fall with his non-throwing arm, which bent awkwardly. Daniels was later diagnosed with a dislocated elbow. Last year, Daniels' season was also knocked off kilter and eventually ended by injuries to the same elbow.
Peters' comments don't provide a clear timeline for Daniels returning to the field. Quinn said on Monday that the expectation is Marcus Mariota will start Sunday against Seattle. However, with Daniels not expected to land on IR, there is a shot the QB returns in the next few weeks.
Washington plays Indianapolis in London in Week 4, hosts the New York Giants in Week 5, and travels to San Francisco to face the 49ers in prime time in Week 6 before a bye.
