The Washington Commanders won't have quarterback Jayden Daniels available in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts as he recovers from a dislocated elbow, but tight end Chig Okonkwo is healthy enough to participate after missing the last two games with a hamstring issue.
And if there are no restrictions, this can help the Commanders' meet fire with fire against one of Indianapolis' biggest threats.
The Commanders haven't got much from the tight end room without Okonkwo. Ben Sinnott has gotten more involved, but he's seldom used in the passing game. John Bates is an outstanding blocker, but his pass-catching talent has always been limited.
Chig Okonkwo is eager to make up for lost time during Commanders return
Okonkwo is here to change all that. And he expects these numbers to go up significantly now that he is back in the lineup.
It might take Okonkwo a little time to find his football legs again, and it's hard to say what his chemistry will be like with veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota. But when the Oregon product needs a safety valve across the middle, the free-agent signing should be there to utilize.
And with Tyler Warren on the Colts' offense, the Commanders need Okonkwo to keep up.
Warren is exceptional; there is no denying that. He put together a phenomenal rookie campaign before injury struck, and he's picked up where he left off. He is a real danger that must be accounted for at all times, and with the Commanders' secondary struggles aside from Amik Robertson, it's not hard to see where the problems could arise.
Okonkwo might not be the focal point Warren is, but he is a difference-maker in his own right.
Commanders need Chig Okonkwo to counter Tyler Warren's influence
The former Maryland star is a threat after the catch. Okonkwo has solid hands, can block effectively, and knows how to absorb contact. The Commanders haven't seen much of this due to injury, but he is more than capable of making his presence felt.
Mariota still has a good arm. But for the Commanders to move the chains effectively, they need players who can make tough catches across the middle in the intermediate areas of the field.
Okonkwo is among them. And getting him back is a real boost against a Colts offense that has given up a league-worst 417.3 yards per game.
It'll be interesting to see if Okonkwo's reps are managed in his first game back. Returning so soon from a hamstring problem means the issue wasn't too bad, but they do have a tendency to flare up again if not given the correct time to heal.
Two weeks was enough for Okonkwo. And he is clearly eager to make up for some lost time.
The Commanders believed enough in Okonkwo to give him $27 million over three years in free agency. The signs were positive over the summer, but now is the time to truly repay this faith.
And if he can produce a similar output to Warren on the other sideline, the Commanders will have a good chance of securing their second win of the 2026 campaign.
Let's see if he's up to the task.
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