As Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels prepares for his return to the lineup, Washington could be without a handful of other key players for an NFC East matchup against the New York Giants.
uncertain
Washington → prepare → Giants
The team’s two top receivers, Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, both have hamstring injuries, leaving their status for Sunday in doubt.
asserted
receivers → have → doubt
But the return of Daniels gives Washington (1-3) confidence in what its offense can do against division-leading New York (3-1).
asserted
offense → give → 3
“He’s different,” Giants coach John Harbaugh said.
asserted
Harbaugh → ’ → ?
“He’s a premier quarterback who can operate just in all those modalities. ...
asserted
who → ’ → modalities
It’s drop-back pass.
asserted
It → ’ → ?
It’s under center, play-action, downhill run game.
asserted
It → ’ → game
He does it all.
asserted
He → do → it
He’s a very accurate passer.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
I mean, he’s proven himself to be a very, very dangerous quarterback, obviously.
asserted
he → mean → himself
So, yeah, premier guy and it looks like we’re going to get him, so we’re going to have to be at our best.”
asserted
we → look → best
Daniels, who dislocated his left, non-throwing elbow nearly three weeks ago, may have to reenter the lineup without Diggs or McLaurin.
uncertain
who → dislocate → Diggs
That could pave the way for rookie receiver Antonio Williams to see an increased role on Sunday.
uncertain
Williams → pave → Sunday
“I feel like nothing changes for any of us,” Williams said.
asserted
Williams → feel → us
“You always see yourself as that guy.
asserted
You → see → guy
Next man our, that’s our mentality, and both of those guys are doing everything they can.
asserted
they → ’ → everything
Those are two great leaders we lean on, but we got guys ready to step up.”
asserted
guys → lean → ?
Washington could get some reinforcements in the form of offensive lineman Sam Cosmi, who is recovering from a concussion and neck injury.
uncertain
who → get → injury
His return could help smooth things out for a team that needs as many healthy bodies as it can get.
uncertain
it → help → bodies
“Gotta pound that rock and make holes for our guys,” Cosmi said.
asserted
Cosmi → pound → guys
“I’m excited about that.
asserted
I → ’m → that
For the most part, keep our guys up, keep Jayden up, that’s our goal.
asserted
that → keep → Jayden
Last week: Commanders lost to the Colts 30-13 in London; Giants beat the Cardinals 36-24.
asserted
Giants → lose → London
Last meeting: Commanders beat the Giants 29-21 on Dec. 14, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
asserted
Commanders → beat → Rutherford
Series record: Giants lead 108-75-5.
asserted
Giants → lead → ?
The return of Cosmi would provide a boost for the Commanders.
asserted
return → provide → Commanders
But New York boasts a strong defensive front that includes Abdul Carter and rookie linebacker Arvell Reese.
asserted
that → boast → Carter
It remains to be seen how effective Daniels will be, or how many risks he’ll take, while playing with a new brace on his left elbow, but keeping Daniels upright — especially considering Washington’s injuries at receiver — will be paramount.
asserted
keeping → remain → receiver
Stats and stuff
— Washington won all four meetings between the teams over the past two seasons.
asserted
Washington → win → seasons
— New York has sole possession of first place in the NFC East for the first time since November 2015 and is 3-1 for the first time since 2022.
asserted
York → have → 2022
— Giants quarterback Jameis Winston has completed 62.7% of passes for 368 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in two his two starts since replacing Jaxson Dart.
asserted
Winston → complete → Dart
— New York’s Malik Nabers had 112 yards receiving last week, more than in his first three games combined.
asserted
Nabers → have → games
— Reese led the Giants with nine tackles and had his first career interception against Arizona.
asserted
Reese → lead → Arizona
— The Giants’ six interceptions are tied with Jacksonville and Super Bowl champion Seattle for the most in the NFL.
asserted
interceptions → tie → NFL
_
AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno in East Rutherford, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
___
asserted
Whyno → contribute → report