Jayden Daniels Returns Against the Giants Without Stefon Diggs, and Terry McLaurin's Hamstring Decides Washington's Passing Game

Jayden Daniels is back. The Washington Commanders quarterback practiced fully all week and will start Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game against the New York Giants, his first appearance since injuring his non-throwing elbow in the Week 2 loss to Dallas. Coach Dan Quinn had set a full week of practice as the bar for his return, and Daniels cleared it. He is expected to wear a protective brace on the elbow.

The problem is who he will be throwing to. Stefon Diggs is out with a hamstring injury after missing every practice this week, and Quinn confirmed Friday that he will not play. Terry McLaurin is questionable with a hamstring issue of his own, though NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that he looked good at Friday's practice. For a 1-3 Washington team hosting a 3-1 Giants team, the health of the receiver room may matter as much as the quarterback's return.

Where Washington's season stands

The Commanders have endured a rough first month. Daniels went down in Week 2, and backup Marcus Mariota then suffered an MCL sprain that pushed rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into action. Washington lost three of its first four games, and the offense never found a rhythm without its franchise quarterback.

Diggs had been Washington's most productive receiver through four games, with about 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns according to fantasy-site tallies. Losing him for Daniels' return removes the receiver who had produced most consistently while the quarterback carousel spun.

There is a silver lining for Washington's offense. Daniels' presence changes how defenses play the Commanders even when the receiver room is thin. Opponents have to account for his legs on every snap, which tends to create cleaner throwing windows for whoever is running routes. That is why his return lifts the floor of every Washington skill player, even with Diggs sidelined.

Fantasy calls for Washington

Jayden Daniels: start. Fantasy analysts have treated him as a must-start since he went full in practice, and that is the right call. His rushing gives him a floor few quarterbacks can match, and the Giants' defense will be dealing with his legs whether or not McLaurin plays. The one caution is the elbow. It is his non-throwing arm, so it should not affect his passing, but he may be more careful as a runner in his first game back. Expect a slightly lower rushing floor than his usual weeks.

Terry McLaurin: start if active. If McLaurin plays, he will be Daniels' top target by a wide margin. The two have established chemistry, and with Diggs out, McLaurin's target share should be significant. Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff. If he is in, he is a WR2.

Rachaad White: flex. White was cleared through his shoulder issue and should handle a meaningful share of the backfield work. With the receiver room thin, Washington may lean on its backs in the short passing game, which helps White's PPR value.

Tight ends and depth receivers: With Diggs out and McLaurin uncertain, Washington's tight ends and No. 3 receivers will see more opportunities. None are reliable fantasy starters, but in deeper leagues, the receiver who fills Diggs' role could be a speculative play.

Fantasy calls for New York

Malik Nabers: start. Nabers was limited Thursday with knee soreness but practiced fully Friday and carries no game status. He is a weekly WR1 when healthy, and Washington's secondary should not scare anyone off him.

The Giants arrive at 3-1, one of the better starts in the NFC East. For fantasy, Nabers is the clear centerpiece of the passing game.

Betting angle

Washington is a 3.5-point home favorite at DraftKings, with the total ranging from 41.5 to 43.5 depending on the book. That line says the market believes Daniels' return is worth more than the Giants' superior record, which is a significant vote of confidence in a quarterback coming off a multi-week absence.

The bigger question is whether the market has properly priced the receiver situation. If McLaurin is ruled out, Washington's offense becomes far more limited, and a 3.5-point spread could look generous. If he plays, the Commanders have their two most important offensive pieces back and the line looks reasonable.

The Verdexed model's view of this game is on the NFL predictions page and in the Week 5 picks.

For player props, Daniels' rushing yardage line is the one to watch. If books have priced him at his usual rushing level, the under could have value given his elbow and the possibility that he is more conservative as a runner in his first game back.

What to do in your league

- Start: Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers. - Start if active: Terry McLaurin as a WR2. - Flex: Rachaad White, especially in PPR. - Bench: Stefon Diggs (out). - Monitor: The inactive list for McLaurin's final status.

What's next

Washington's bye comes in Week 7, so the Commanders play one more game before a break. Diggs' hamstring will be the question for Week 6. If he misses another game, his managers face a stretch in which he is out for three consecutive weeks, counting the bye. For Daniels, the goal is simple: get through Sunday healthy and give Washington a chance to get back into the NFC race.