ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been medically cleared to return, paving the way for him to play Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coach Dan Quinn said Daniels will be considered a full participant in the Commanders’ practice Wednesday. He was limited last week.
During the portion of practice open to the media Daniels took his usual reps, while still wearing a brace on his left knee under his black sweats.
Daniels missed the last two games with a sprained left knee, suffered when Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard hit him with his helmet at the end of a scramble in Week 2. The Commanders (2-2) went 1-1 in his absence with Marcus Mariota at quarterback — though they scored a combined 61 points on offense in those games.
Quinn said Daniels will get all the reps and wants to make sure he’s back at full speed and is executing the offense with the proper timing.
“That’s what I’m looking for,” Quinn said. “He’s definitely chomping at the bit to get going … Just running the offense, being back to himself.”
Daniels said last week he felt like himself, but Quinn said Friday that he had not yet been medically cleared. Quinn said Daniels had a “steadfast approach” to put in the work to get better and then they were able to see him throw at full speed and move like he has to on the field.
Quinn also said it wasn’t easy telling Daniels he wouldn’t play the last two weeks, but that because they’ve been together for 18 months, he knows what his quarterback looks like when ready.
“And having trust in one another to do that,” Quinn said. “That’s a big piece of it.”
Daniels won the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2024. In Washington’s first two games this season he completed 43-of-72 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns.
Daniels has run 18 times for 85 yards; he was hurt on a scramble.
“The only thing worse than missing games is not taking lessons,” Quinn said. “[On] scrambles, when do I get down, when do I go out of bounds? Jayden is still growing. That’s the fun and exciting part; he’s not anywhere near the top of what he’s going to be so that lights me up.”
Last week, when asked if he was going to wear a brace on his knee while playing, Daniels said that “was a conversation” he would have with the medical staff.