Commanders QB Jayden Daniels practices, plans to return vs. Chargers

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been medically cleared from his knee injury, practiced Wednesday and deemed himself ready to return for the Week 5 game Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I plan on being out there on Sunday,” Daniels said. “Obviously, as a competitor you want to go out there and help your team in any way possible,” Daniels said. “So being sidelined for this past couple of weeks were super tough. I felt like I could go two weeks ago, but I don’t make those calls.”

Daniels missed the team’s last two games since suffering a sprained left knee in the fourth quarter of Washington’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 11. The Commanders (2-2), who split those contests with Marcus Mariota under center, will visit the Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) on Sunday.

“He’ll get all the reps at practice, so will be back at full speed — the execution, the timing, all of that,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said before Wednesday’s practice. “That’s really what I’m looking for, but he’s definitely champing at the bit to get going. So, more just running the offense, being back to himself — that was our discussion today to make sure (he’s getting) all the looks, all the calls, and the speed of the practice.”

Quinn acknowledged that Daniels has been pressing him to get back on the field. He was sporting a brace during Wednesday’s practice session, just like last week.

“It’s good that I’ve known him for a year and a half now,” Quinn said of Daniels. “I think when you’re first getting to know somebody, you’re feeling that out. But knowing what his best looks like and also having trust in one another to do that — I think that’s a big piece of it.”

Quinn also provided a positive statement with respect to injured receivers Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin, knee) as well as tight end John Bates (calf, groin).

“All are trending up. … We’re making good progress with those guys,” Quinn said.

Daniels, 24, has connected on 59.7% of his passes for 433 yards and three TDs with no interceptions this season.

He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after being selected second overall by the Commanders.