COMMANDERS COACH SIGNALS HOPE FOR DANIELS RETURN IN WEEK FIVE

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has said the hope is for quarterback Jayden Daniels to return in Week Five, according to CBS Sports. Daniels has been sidelined with a dislocated elbow. The plan is for him to take part in full practice this week, which will determine whether he is able to play against the New York Giants on Sunday. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is believed to have sustained an MCL sprain, according to NBC Sports, adding urgency to the push to get Daniels back on the field.

Daniels took part in some team repetitions this week but was limited in practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, per NBC Sports. Should neither Daniels nor Mariota be available, seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis would make his first career start. Kaliakmanis started in the Commanders' defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, throwing a 47-yard touchdown pass to receiver Treylon Burks that briefly cut the deficit to 17-13 in the third quarter before the Colts pulled away. The result left the Commanders with a 1-3 record.

The Commanders' match against the Giants, who hold a 3-1 record, has been described by NBC Sports as critical to any effort by Washington to turn its season around. Daniels's ability to fully participate in practice this week is the key factor that will determine his availability. If he is not cleared, the Commanders would need either Mariota or Kaliakmanis to start at quarterback for the fixture.