The Giants and Commanders are both heading into Week 5 with a mix of relief and frustration on the injury report, but the biggest headline belongs to Washington: Jayden Daniels is back.
Daniels is set to return after the dislocated left elbow that threatened his season. It’s the same elbow he injured twice last year - a dislocation in Week 9 and a sprain in Week 14 - and the damage cost him seven games. He chose not to have surgery and instead pushed to get back on the field, though how the injury affects him once the game starts is still an open question.
He won’t have Stefon Diggs alongside him. Diggs has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Terry McLaurin was a limited participant in practice, but his status is still unresolved.
New York also got some bad news, starting with the defense. Chauncey Golston is out after hurting his neck in the win over the Arizona Cardinals, and Jason Pinnock will miss the game after suffering a concussion in that same contest.
Golston’s absence could open the door for Jihad Ward to make his Giants debut. Ward was a favorite of former Giants and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
The Giants, though, are expecting several key players to suit up. Left tackle Andrew Thomas, wide receiver Malik Nabers, tight end Isaiah Likely, tight end Chris Manhertz, and running back Cam Skattebo are all projected to play.
Thomas has been dealing with a groin issue and has been handling it with lighter practice work. Nabers is still coming back from ACL and meniscus surgery.
Skattebo’s shoulder injury will be worth watching, too, especially for a runner whose game leans on physicality. If that injury does limit him, the Giants could lean more on Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy, or Devin Singletary.
Giants injury report: Out: DL Chauncey Golston (neck), S Jason Pinnock (concussion)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Commanders injury report: Out: WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring)
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Jayden Daniels Brings A Risk Washington Cant Ignore Against Giants
Jayden Daniels is expected back for Washington after a dislocated left elbow sidelined him a few weeks ago, and his return puts an immediate spotlight on how the Commanders plan to handle him. He opted to avoid surgery, and the hope in Washington is simple enough: keep him upright long enough for the offense to stabilize and build on what the team has shown recently.
Still, there is real unease around how much punishment Daniels can absorb while doing it. An unnamed executive raised durability concerns and pointed to the need for a more careful offensive approach, with more emphasis on the run game, extra protection and a tighter plan for getting Daniels through games. Against the Giants, that tension will hang over every snap he takes. [Read more 🡒]