Jayden Daniels will return to the field for the Washington Commanders in their Week 5 home contest against the New York Giants, his first regular-season game at Northwest Stadium in 2026. But he might have to do it without his top two targets.
Stefon Diggs is out, and Terry McLaurin is a game-time decision, both with hamstring issues. For Daniels, with his elbow in a brace, he'll need to put on his Superman cape.
Not ideal, but it's a situation the Commanders find themselves in yet again.
Commanders are making Jayden Daniels the savior again, and the risk is high
It's the same story the Commanders faced last year when they repeatedly rushed Daniels back to the field in difficult situations to try to save their season.
This time, the outcome needs to be different.
It's a miracle Daniels missed only two weeks with an injury that initially had everyone questioning whether it was season-ending. And after Marcus Mariota got hurt against the Indianapolis Colts, the Commanders didn't have much of a choice.
But is this a good thing?
Even though the injury is to Daniels' non-throwing arm, we saw what happened last year when he willed himself back from this same injury. He aggravated it against the Minnesota Vikings and missed the rest of the season.
Last year, Daniels played recklessly and exposed himself to far too many big hits. That's partially on him and partially on his lack of protection, and Washington's offensive line is no better now.
Commanders' season hinges on Jayden Daniels protecting himself at all times
The only variable that can change is him.
His Week 2 setback was a freak incident. Still, Daniels should see it as a blessing that he can return so quickly and be as careful as possible to ensure it doesn't happen again, because there is a common denominator at this point.
Daniels will have the world on his shoulders.
With sub-optimal protection and a depleted receiving corps, making the offense click will all be up to him and coordinator David Blough. More than that, this is a game the Commanders can't afford to lose in the grand scheme of their season.
The Giants are 3-1 but haven't beaten any good teams, and Washington is favored in the matchup. The Commanders won't be next week, when they hit the road to face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. If head coach Dan Quinn's squad loses this one, they're probably 1-5 at the bye.
Daniels is in an impossible situation.
He needs to do all he can to put his team on his back, but he also can't overwork himself to the point of burnout. Washington has struggled to find that balance with him, and it has done little to make his life more manageable.
But all Daniels can do is complete the task at hand. Secure the victory, and don't get hurt again.
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