Jayden Daniels shrugs off elbow fears as Commanders weigh Colts start in London

WATFORD, England (AP) — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels said Thursday he has no concerns about re-injuring his left elbow and is “taking it day by day” on the possibility of starting against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Daniels, who dislocated his elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, said he didn't need immediate surgery and wanted to show leadership by returning to help his team.

“I love football, I play football. I get paid to play football. So I owe it to my teammates,” Daniels said after practice at the team's hotel outside London. “So I just feel like it’s me just being a leader ... to go out there and play and obviously protect myself and stuff like that, but I just love football, I have a passion for it.”

Daniels missed last Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes in the 33-31 win over the Super Bowl champions.

Head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Daniels would get more reps as the week progressed and that by Friday “we’ll have a definite determination of where we’re at.”

For a second straight day, Daniels participated in practice while wearing a protective brace. The brace extends from his biceps and triceps down to about the middle of his forearm — on his non-throwing arm. He was officially “limited” Wednesday and Thursday.

Daniels did footwork and throwing drills with the other QBs, looking relaxed on Thursday in the portion of practice open to the media.

Asked if he thinks he'll be ready by Sunday, Daniels smiled and said: “Just taking it day by day.”

Whether or not he gets cleared, Daniels said he'll be ready.

“It's day by day, but for sure got to mentally prepare myself to play,” he said.

What about big hits or awkward falls? “That's what the brace is for. If I had that concern, I would have got surgery,” he said.

Daniels said he would revisit the surgery option after the season.

Before practice Thursday, offensive coordinator David Blough was asked if he's game-planning for Daniels or Mariota to start.

“It is certainly fluid, and we like Jaden’s progression," Blough said.

It’s the second elbow dislocation for Daniels, who missed most of the second half of last season with the same injury. Blough said there are “lessons learned” from last year's recovery, such as keeping Daniels' legs in shape and staying on a throwing program.

“We’re going to make sure, man, that he’s right, he’s comfortable, and that our process is good as we take it up to game time, and then all the way into, you know, as we just get him back on the field, we want him to feel like him,” Blough said.

As for settling on a starter, sooner “is certainly better,” the first-year OC said. But he added: "That’s our job to be able to have any contingencies, whether it’s at quarterback, whether it is at running back. Our job is to adapt and try to find a way in that week to win.”

The uncertainty might keep the Colts guessing this week, but ultimately Washington's play calling won't change much between Daniels and Mariota, according to Blough.

“Luckily both of those guys are great passers and also great runners, so we’re very fortunate to have a backup who kind of mirrors the skill set of a starter," he said. "And when you build it, you would love for it to be that way. So, I’ll just say, like, it’s fairly similar.”

In other injury updates Thursday, safety Percy Butler (concussion) and cornerback Amik Robertson (knee) both were upgraded to full participants. Running back Rachaad White (shoulder) did not practice for a second straight day.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) takes part in a NFL Football practice session in London, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5), prepares to throw during a NFL Football practice session in London, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5), throws a pass during a NFL Football practice session in London, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) takes part in NFL football practice in London, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami Beach early Thursday and charged with battery after a woman he was living with told police he hit her, authorities said.

Ross, whose legal name is William Roberts II, surrendered at the Miami Beach Police Station, two days after the woman filed a report with police, officials said. Ross faces a felony charge of battery by strangulation, as well as a misdemeanor battery charge, according to online court records.

An attorney for Ross, 50, said in a statement that his client is being wrongfully accused by an ex-girlfriend whose true motivations are unclear.

“The ex did not even file a police report until a month after the claimed incident allegedly took place,” defense attorney Steve Sadow said in the statement. “Mr. Roberts is innocent and has pled not guilty to the charges. He respectfully requests that his friends, fans and the general public not prejudge the situation and allow the judicial process to run its course.”

Ross was released from jail on a $5,000 cash bond later Thursday, according to court records. An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22.

According to an arrest report, a woman told Miami Beach detectives that she had been living with Ross on Aug. 28, when he accused her of cheating on him and struck her multiple times. She said Ross also choked her with the collar of her shirt and slammed her into a wall. The woman said she was eventually able to leave the home and then returned later — after Ross left — to collect her belongings.

Ross pleaded no contest in 2017 to aggravated assault after he was accused of forcing a man into a guesthouse at his suburban-Atlanta mansion in 2015 and beating him with a handgun, according to Georgia court records. Under a first-offender program in Georgia, the court issued an order exonerating Ross of guilt on that felony count.

Ross is a longtime South Florida resident who gained prominence in 2006 with his debut single “Hustlin'.”

The rapper and entrepreneur helped put Miami on the musical map in the early 2000s, when most hip-hop fans looked to Atlanta and Houston as Southern rap headquarters. “Hustlin'" was certified platinum twice by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sparked a bidding war for Ross. He eventually signed with Def Jam Records, headed by Jay-Z.

Ross’ debut album, “Port of Miami,” also went platinum, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first in a series of chart-toppers, including 2008’s “Trilla” and 2009’s “Deeper Than Rap.” He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.

In 2008, he founded the influential label Maybach Music Group (MMG), boosting the careers of signees like Wale, Meek Mill and French Montana.

His most recent album, “Set In Stone,” was released in July.

This story was first published Oct. 1, 2026. It was updated Oct. 1, 2026, to remove information about an unrelated prior case involving Rick Ross because details weren’t immediately clear. Updates of that previous case are included in this version.

This booking photo provided by the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, shows Rick Ross. (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)

FILE - Rick Ross arrives at the BET Awards on June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rick Ross performs during the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)