The Washington Commanders are finally getting healthier, and that’s about to force some hard choices.
After a stretch defined by injuries and uneven results, head coach Dan Quinn is working with a roster that’s starting to fill back out. Three more veteran players had their 21-day return windows opened this week, and quarterback Jayden Daniels was a full participant Wednesday before planning to start in Week 5 against the New York Giants. That kind of reinforcement should help, but it also tightens the squeeze for Quinn and general manager Adam Peters.
At 1-3 with two games left before the bye week, Washington doesn’t have much room to wait around. As more players return, some current contributors are going to find themselves in a shaky spot.
One of the most vulnerable names is Mike Sainristil.
Trey Amos had his 21-day return window activated after four games on injured reserve, and his comeback could directly impact Sainristil’s standing. Amos, a physically imposing cornerback, has missed the better part of a year with a fractured fibula and an ankle sprain, but he’s eager to make up for lost time.
That leaves Sainristil in a rough place. The Michigan product has slipped out of favor, and his role has shrunk badly. He played only five snaps against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, a clear sign the coaching staff isn’t leaning on him the way it once did.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones has trusted Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas, and Fabian Moreau more than Sainristil. All three bring experience and are playing well, which only makes the situation tougher once Amos is ready to join the mix.
There’s still a possibility Washington tries Sainristil at safety, but nothing is certain there. Right now, it would not be a shock if he’s off the roster sooner rather than later.
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 🡒]