Jayden Daniels will make his return from injury as the Washington Commanders host the New York Giants in Week 5.
But a bombshell report from ESPN has revealed that many doctors around the NFL ‘believe it is a matter of when, not if’ he faces a recurrence of the elbow injury that he suffered in Week 2.
Daniels has missed the last two Washington games after he dislocated his elbow in a gruesome moment against the Dallas Cowboys.
It is the second time he has suffered the injury on his non-throwing elbow, and he will wear a brace this week and for the rest of the season.
Daniels consulted specialists in both New York and Los Angeles where it was determined that it was a viable option for him to make a comeback.
But ESPN claims there is a split in opinion among doctors around the league with many looking at the situation from afar adamant that Daniels is at a ‘higher risk’ of another dislocation after sustaining the same injury twice in the last 11 months.
Jayden Daniels will return for the Washington Commanders this week against the Giants
Daniels dislocated his left elbow for the second time in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys
Daniels is wearing a brace on his left elbow to try and protect it from dislocating again
Daniels stated this week he ‘felt good’ in practice and said it allowed him to ‘give myself opportunities to go out there and play on Sunday.’
He insists he has no issues with wearing the brace on his left arm and it will not impact his play moving forwards.
‘I’m going to embrace the brace, not worry about it too much,’ Daniels said. ‘It’s my non-throwing arm, so, I think as long as I got the right one to attack, I’ll be all right.’
Offensive coordinator David Blough told reporters this week that Daniels is ‘full go’, adding: ‘We’re looking forward to having him back.’
The Commanders lost to the Indianapolis Colts in London last week after losing Daniels’ backup, Marcus Mariota, to a sprained right medial collateral ligament in his knee.
That meant seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis played the majority of the game. He will again backup Daniels against the Giants.
Head coach Dan Quinn spoke about what Daniels’ return gives his team, who are 1-3 entering the game against their 3-1 NFC East rivals.
‘Command at the line, that’s one for sure,’ Quinn said. ‘The play-making ability, the third and fourth downs, all of those are part of what makes him special in that way.
‘Love the accuracy that he throws with and the good job obviously taking care of the ball. That’s going to be premium in this game.’
