The Washington Commanders have been bitten heavily by the injury bug this season. Head coach Dan Quinn is trying to navigate some rough waters, and results just aren't where they need to be right now. But fortunately, there is some light amid the doom and gloom.
Washington is getting some key men back to health, albeit slowly. Three more established veterans had their 21-day return windows opened this week, and several more are working their way back. These include quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was a full participant Wednesday and plans to start in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
This won't guarantee improvements, of course. But the more capable performers Washington has, the better its chances are of getting out of a concerning slump.
Daniels is gaining the hype, and rightfully so. However, getting so many players back into the lineup means Quinn and general manager Adam Peters face some tough decisions. They are nice problems to have, but they are problems all the same.
And with the Commanders at 1-3 with two games remaining until their bye week, Washington's power couple must be ruthless to get this free-falling campaign back on the right path to prosperity.
With that in mind, here are five players who could be nervously looking over their shoulders as Washington's injury bug subsides.
Washington Commanders players on the chopping block as injury crisis weakens
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way first.
Trey Amos had his 21-day return window activated after four games on injured reserve. The physically imposing cornerback has missed the best part of a year with a fractured fibula and an ankle sprain, but he is eager to make up for some lost time.
And that puts Sainristil firmly in the firing line.
The Michigan product has fallen out of favor. Sainristil looks like a shell of the player who performed so well as a rookie, and getting just five snaps against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 signified a complete lack of trust from the coaching staff.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones has placed more faith in Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas, and Fabian Moreau. They are experienced and playing well. When Amos gets the all-clear to take his place on the squad, one has to wonder if that will be it for Sainristil's chances of carving out a long-term role for himself in Washington.
Perhaps giving Sanristil some looks at safety could give him a spark, but there is no telling for sure. And it wouldn't be surprising to see him off the roster in the not-too-distant future.
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