HERTFORDSHIRE, England -- The apparatus extends from the biceps down to the forearm, with four large straps and a hinge that rests on the outside of the elbow and restricts its motion.
For Jayden Daniels, this brace is now as much a part of his uniform as his jersey and helmet. It's a necessity, and a reason the Commanders' quarterback was back on the field just two weeks after dislocating his left elbow for the second time.
Daniels traveled with the Commanders to London on Tuesday night and took part in their non-padded workout held outside the team's hotel Wednesday afternoon.
It was Daniels' first on-field work in front of reporters since reinjuring his elbow, and a significant step in his return to playing.
Daniels was formally listed as a limited participant in the team's lighter workout. But coach Dan Quinn wouldn't make any declaration about Daniels' status for Sunday, when the Commanders host the Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"As we get into Thursday and Friday, we'll see what that load looks like, and then by Friday, we'll have a definite determination of where we're at," Quinn said. "But until then, we'll work and start the process. But it'd be too early to call it."
So there's a chance Daniels could play Sunday. But how big or small of a chance, Quinn wouldn't say. If Daniels doesn't play this weekend against the Colts, then it's plausible he returns for a Week 5 game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium.
"The pain tolerance for him, he already has a high one," Quinn said. "So it's more, with this specific injury, the functionality, the strength. … Certainly having the brace is going to be a big part for him. He'll wear that the entire season. But I would say there's a known entity of when you're ready. So, without going through all the steps, you just don't know yet."
For better or worse, Daniels has been here before. He first dislocated the elbow in a Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last season and missed three games (four weeks with the bye) before returning. But he aggravated the elbow in his first game back, so the Commanders shut him down for the rest of the season.
Daniels had seemingly no lingering issues with his elbow when he returned for the offseason program and then training camp earlier this year.
But multiple studies suggest one elbow dislocation can make each subsequent one more likely. And one fluke play in Dallas seemed to validate the research.
Daniels dislocated his elbow again when he tried to brace his fall after stumbling off the line of scrimmage. Daniels' left guard, Chris Paul, stepped on his foot just as he fielded the snap and turned to roll out, causing him to stumble and fall. Daniels' arm bent in at the elbow and he immediately grabbed it in obvious discomfort.
Daniels was carted off the field and ruled out for the remainder of the game as well as the team's home opener against the Seahawks the following week. As Marcus Mariota prepared to start in his place, Daniels crossed the country to visit orthopedic specialists in New York and Los Angeles to determine the best course of action for his elbow.
"He's always a person in good spirits, but you could tell that this being the second time around, he's comfortable with where he's at," Mariota said on Wednesday. "He's comfortable with this process and however long it's going to take."
Because Daniels did not suffer a fracture or extensive ligament damage in his elbow, and because the injury is to his non-throwing arm, he was able to resume throwing in a relatively short time. The Commanders did not place him on injured reserve and general manager Adam Peters said surgery was not an immediate consideration.
But Peters never ruled out the possibility of Daniels needing surgery to stabilize his elbow at some point after the season.
For now, however, his focus is on getting back to playing.
"At the end of the day, I think if he's healthy and he can play, he should play," Mariota said. "This is his team. And the more that we can help support that and give him all the tools that he needs to be successful, that's what our roles are."
Daniels' brace can keep his elbow stable while he plays. But ensuring he's comfortable with it and has the mobility to do what he needs will be key.
"We're not going to put him out there before he's ready, so that's why it's important for us to trust the process as we're going," Quinn said. "But him being back on the field is like, man, that's a good step for us. And then we'll take it from there."
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
