Jayden Daniels’ expected return could quickly change the look of Washington’s passing game, and it may be Antonio Williams who benefits most.
The Commanders are heading into a tricky matchup with the New York Giants, one of their oldest and most bitter rivals, and they’re doing it with uncertainty at wide receiver. Daniels is expected back just two games after dislocating his non-throwing elbow in a contact-less situation.
He practiced fully for the first time since the injury on Wednesday, but that same day Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs were both sidelined by hamstring injuries. McLaurin had already missed the London game.
If Diggs, who leads all receivers with 18 catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns, is unavailable - and if McLaurin can’t go either - Washington’s receiving picture gets thin in a hurry.
That’s where Williams comes in.
The rookie has already seen his role expand almost by the week. He played 26 snaps in Week 1, which was 37% of the offense, then logged 49% in Week 2 and 41% in Week 3 before jumping to 44 snaps, or 69%, in Week 4. Over that stretch, he’s put up 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Last week against Indianapolis, Williams was targeted eight times and caught three passes for 21 yards. But that stat line leaves out the play that got wiped away: an 87-yard touchdown that came back because of penalties.
Even with that lost production, the usage tells the story. He’s gone from a complementary rookie to a player on the field for roughly two-thirds of Washington’s offensive snaps when McLaurin has been out.
Williams already showed what he can do early. His best game so far came in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he was targeted four times, caught all four for 64 yards, and scored a touchdown. In the three games since - including two without Daniels - he has eight catches for 60 yards and no additional touchdowns.
McLaurin noticed Williams’ potential back in late July. "He has a good feel for the receiver position, and I think he has a chance to really help us, especially in [OC David] Blough's offense, where guys will be able to move around," McLaurin said.
There’s been a tendency to label Williams as just a slot receiver, but his background says otherwise. He did play there in his final year at Clemson, yet he also logged 317 snaps on the outside during the 2024 season and handled that work well.
That versatility matters in Blough’s offense, which is built to move players around. As McLaurin put it, "I think he really excels in the slot, and I know he's gonna have a chance to move around, but I think it's just really important, especially when you're a young guy gaining that confidence," McLaurin said.
Williams’ numbers against Indianapolis weren’t eye-popping, but there’s some context there. Washington was adjusting to a rookie quarterback with a different skill set, and the offense hadn’t had much time to get comfortable together. Even so, the missed 87-yard touchdown remains the kind of chunk play that can swing the conversation fast.
Daniels’ return changes the quarterback picture, but it doesn’t wipe away the concerns around the receivers. The Commanders drafted Williams with the hope that he’d become a meaningful part of Daniels’ offense. Now, with the weekend approaching, they may need that to happen sooner than expected.
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 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 🡒]
Terry McLaurin Setback Puts Two Commanders Questions Back In Focus
Terry McLaurins hamstring issue is back in the foreground for Washington, and the Commanders are being careful with one of their most important players. He missed a game earlier because of the same problem, and now he has sat out the first two days of practice again as the team takes a cautious approach to his recovery.
The timing only sharpens the bigger questions around McLaurin, who has two years left on his deal and remains central to Washingtons plans. With no guaranteed money remaining and major cap charges ahead, his health and his contract are now intertwined in a way that makes every setback feel a little more consequential for the Commanders. [Read more 🡒]