Commanders Rule Out Jayden Daniels for London Game; Mariota Starts Again

Washington’s quarterback decision is settled for London: Jayden Daniels will not play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Commanders ruled him out Friday after he took part in all three practices on a limited basis.

Marcus Mariota gets the start for a second straight week. He filled in during Washington’s 33–31 win over Seattle, and the Commanders’ official update says the club will reassess Daniels next week after he gets a full week to practice.

What Washington knows—and what it doesn’t

Daniels is recovering from a dislocated left elbow suffered in Week 2. He has returned to limited work and is wearing a brace; the team says it keeps him from fully extending his arm. Washington has not given a firm return date. Friday’s update points to next week’s practice as the next checkpoint, not a guarantee that he will be ready for the Giants.

The ruling also gives the offense a clearer week of preparation. Mariota now has the full starter’s workload, while the team can keep Daniels’ return tied to what he can do in practice rather than the urgency of a London kickoff.

Why it matters to fans

Daniels’ availability changes the shape of a game Washington needs to approach carefully, but Mariota arrives with a recent win and a chance to build on it. For Commanders fans, the more important measure may be whether the team can keep its offense steady without rushing its franchise quarterback back before he is ready.

Kris’s Take

This is the right call. A limited practice week and a brace that restricts full extension are not signs that Washington should gamble with Daniels in an international game. Mariota has earned another start after beating Seattle. Let Daniels stack a full week of work first; the Commanders need him healthy for the long season, not merely available for one Sunday.

Sources

The Washington Commanders’ official game-status update, published October 2, 2026; additional reporting from Reuters/Field Level Media.

No photo is included: I could not verify a current, rights-cleared image of Daniels in a Commanders uniform for this update.