Jayden Daniels to practice but long shot to play vs. Broncos - ESPN

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will return to practice this week but is considered a long shot to play versus the Broncos on Sunday night, coach Dan Quinn said.

Daniels has not yet been cleared for contact.

He has not played since dislocating his left, non-throwing elbow in a loss to Seattle on Nov. 2. Daniels did not require surgery nor was there any structural damage to his elbow. The Commanders did not place him on injured reserve, indicating hope at the time for a possible return.

Quinn said they did not discuss internally shutting Daniels down for the season. At the time of the injury Washington fell to 3-6. The Commanders are now 3-8 heading into Sunday's matchup vs. Denver (9-2) but have lost six consecutive games.

Quinn said he's still not sure when Daniels will return.

«It's important that Jayden's getting going, learning to play this position at the highest level competitively,» Quinn said. «Also doing it safely. Those are reps that you develop as well. It's a skill just like throwing and processing. All those things are important.»

Daniels has already missed five games this season because of three different injuries. He sat out Weeks 3 and 4 with a sprained left knee, after it was hit by a defender's helmet at the end of a run.

He returned for three games, then suffered a right hamstring injury on a sack vs. Dallas in Week 7. Daniels then returned for one game before sustaining the elbow injury with 7:39 remaining and Washington trailing the Seahawks 38-7. The drive began with 12:30 remaining in the game.

Afterward, Quinn said he did not regret leaving Daniels in the game but said the next day he should have removed him earlier.

Washington remains a longshot to make the playoffs. But, Quinn