Commanders have this hope for Jayden Daniels amid latest elbow injury

It was already known that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota was on track to start for the 0-2 Washington Commanders versus the 2-0 Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 27 after Washington starter Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in the team's 37-20 loss to the rival Dallas Cowboys. 

During a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," league insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network/ESPN suggested that Daniels could return to the Commanders' lineup sooner than some thought.

Jayden Daniels "hopefully" won't need to do this 

According to Rapoport, Mariota is "expected" to start "at least a couple of games" amid Daniels' ongoing recovery. In Week 4 of the season, Washington will face the Indianapolis Colts in London on Oct. 4. 

That said, Rapoport also hinted that the Commanders have hope that Daniels won't have to go on injured reserve and, thus, won't miss four straight games due to this latest setback. Washington faces the New York Giants in Week 5, and the Commanders will then take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. 

Washington's bye is Week 7. 

How Jayden Daniels will play through this injury

Daniels suffered a gruesome dislocated left elbow last season, and he was ultimately limited to just seven starts before he was shut down after he aggravated that injury. The Commanders understandably want to do anything possible to ensure history doesn't repeat itself later this year. 

As Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing noted, however, Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner said during a Monday appearance on ESPN that he felt Daniels could potentially wear a brace and play through this injury. It sounds like that will be the plan if Daniels doesn't undergo surgery. 

"If he [doesn't go on injured reserve]," Rapoport added about Daniels, "he'll probably come back with a brace on his left arm." 

While Rapoport acknowledged that having to play with a brace would not be "ideal" for Daniels, Rapoport mentioned that the third-year pro should be "OK" if he has to go down such a route. 

For now, the Commanders will spend the week getting Mariota prepared to start against the defending Super Bowl champions. As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Washington as a seven-point home underdog against Seattle.