Jayden Daniels is trending toward a return in Week 5, and the betting market is already treating the Commanders like a different team if he’s under center.
Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that the “goal” is for Daniels to get a full week of practice and then start Sunday against the New York Giants. That would mark Daniels’ first game action since he suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dan Quinn on Jayden Daniels for Week 5: “The goal is for him to have a full week of practice and start on Sunday.”
Daniels was limited in practice last week and was ultimately ruled out for Washington’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Commanders then had to turn to veteran backup Marcus Mariota, who injured his knee in that Week 4 loss and left the team to play rookie Athan Kaliakmanis against Indianapolis.
Kaliakmanis had a rough outing in the 186-yard, one-touchdown, one-interception performance. He finished 15 of 33 passing and added three carries for 16 yards on the ground.
Even before Quinn’s update, the odds were pointing in Daniels’ direction. Washington opened as a three-point favorite at home against the Giants, and that number has held at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Commanders are also -170 on the moneyline to beat the division-leading Giants in Week 5.
That’s notable for a team sitting at 1-3, but the market clearly sees a much stronger version of Washington with Daniels available than with the Jameis Winston-led Giants across from them.
The Commanders are still a long shot to reach the playoffs at +690, though a win over New York would likely help that outlook. Daniels has already shown what he can do when healthy, with Washington reaching the NFC Championship Game in the 2024 season and playing like one of the league’s best teams during the regular season.
So far this year, Daniels has completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 260 yards. Against Dallas in Week 2, he was sharp before the injury, going 11 of 17 for 96 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
In Other News...
Giants Just Got A Tougher NFC East Problem To Prepare For
The Commanders came out of their Week 5 loss in London with more than a bad result, and they may have come home with a major piece of good news. Jayden Daniels exited against the Colts with a dislocated left elbow, but Dan Quinn said the starting quarterback is reportedly on track to potentially return as soon as next week against the Giants.
Washington had to finish the game with Marcus Mariota after Daniels went down, then turned to third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis when Mariota was injured as well. For a Giants team trying to prepare for the division trip ahead, Daniels' possible return changes the picture quickly, especially with Washington hoping to get its offense back to something closer to whole. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face A Week 5 Problem That Could Change Everything
The Giants come into their Week 5 meeting with Washington at 3-1, and the tone around this matchup has changed quickly thanks to their offensive uptick under Jameis Winston. For the Commanders, the bigger issue is less about the opponents record and more about their own quarterback situation, which has been clouded by injuries to Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. In a division game, that kind of uncertainty can turn every possession into a referendum on depth, protection and preparation.
Washington has spent the early part of the week trying to sort through what it can reasonably expect under center, while also weighing how the rest of the offense fits if the available options are limited. The matchup now carries a different kind of pressure, because a divisional loss is one thing, but an unsettled quarterback picture can shape more than one game if it lingers. The Commanders do not just need a plan for Sunday, they need a read on how much of their season can survive this stretch intact. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Offense Just Took A Risky Turn Fans Didn't Expect
Athan Kaliakmanis got his first NFL action Sunday as the Commanders third-string quarterback, a spot he reached after injuries knocked Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota out of the picture. The debut offered a quick look at why Washington has been intrigued by him: he pushed the ball downfield, flashed a strong arm and still managed to move the offense in a game where the team needed someone willing to take chances.
Kaliakmanis finished with 186 yards, but the tape also showed the tradeoff that comes with that style, including an interception and the constant pressure created by an offensive line that has been battered by injuries. Washingtons hope is that some reinforcements around him can steady things, because the Commanders clearly saw enough in the rookie to let him open up the passing game rather than play it safe. [Read more 🡒]