The Washington Commanders are staring at a rough stretch, and the first test after their loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London comes fast. With Dan Quinn sitting at 1-3 and the roster dealing with serious injury trouble, the pressure is already building around a team that has dropped 13 of its last 16 games dating back to last season.
There is at least one important piece of good news for Washington. The Commanders plan to start quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 5 if he gets through another week of practice without any setbacks.
That matters even more with Marcus Mariota out because of an MCL sprain. Daniels is expected to wear a brace to protect his dislocated elbow, and Washington badly needs him back in the lineup.
That sets up a critical home matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium on FOX. It is now the kind of game Washington has to have.
The Giants arrive without starting quarterback Jaxson Dart and star edge rusher Brian Burns for the season, but they have still found ways to win. Their approach under head coach John Harbaugh has been disciplined and steady, and that has helped them stay competitive despite the losses. They lean into what they do well, and they have enough threat on both sides of the ball to make life difficult.
For Washington, the assignment is clear: stop the run and make Jameis Winston uncomfortable. Winston can score in a hurry, but he also gives defenses chances to force mistakes. If the Commanders can create pressure, turnovers should be there.
Washington may also get another lift if right guard Sam Cosmi is back on the interior offensive line and if wide receiver Terry McLaurin returns too. With Daniels potentially back under center, those reinforcements could give the Commanders exactly what they need to pull out a season-saving win.
In Other News...
Jayden Daniels Gives Commanders Hope With One Huge Question Still Lingering
Jayden Daniels was back on the practice field Wednesday and went through a full session after missing two games, a welcome development for a Commanders team that has been trying to navigate life without its rookie quarterback. Washington expects him to play against the New York Giants, and he is doing so with a brace on his elbow, a reminder that even his return comes with a degree of caution.
The bigger concern is what comes after this week. The Commanders still have not signed another quarterback, leaving Daniels as the clear centerpiece of the offense for now, even as there is lingering uncertainty about whether his elbow will need surgery after the season. For a team trying to stay competitive, getting him back matters, but so does whatever happens next with an injury that could follow him well beyond Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Return Wont End This Commanders Problem
Jayden Daniels is set to return after missing two games with an elbow injury, which is obviously a lift for Washington as it tries to steady an offense that has been juggling injuries at a few spots. His presence alone changes the conversation at quarterback, and the Commanders are counting on that to help restore some rhythm after a stretch without him.
The wider issue, though, may still be at receiver, where Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs both missed practice with hamstring injuries. McLaurin has already sat out a recent game, and if both wideouts remain limited, Antonio Williams could keep seeing the heavier workload and targets that have made him a more important part of the passing game than anyone expected at this point. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Return Comes With One Big Concern For Commanders Fans
Jayden Daniels is on track to return Sunday against the Giants after missing time with a left elbow injury, giving Washington the kind of lift it badly wanted as it gets back into a regular rhythm. He was a full participant in practice, a strong sign that the Commanders are moving toward getting their quarterback back on the field after a frustrating stretch on the sideline.
The lingering issue is not whether Daniels is close, but how he will feel once the game speed picks back up. Washington is still watching his recovery carefully to make sure he can function comfortably, and the team has not been shy about treating this as a step-by-step process. Dan Quinn said Daniels is expected to start if there are no setbacks, leaving the final bit of confirmation to the weekend itself. [Read more 🡒]