Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is expected back against the New York Giants, but his return will not solve the offense’s problems if it comes with a plan that turns one of the NFL’s most dangerous running QBs into a stationary passer. The priority, Locked On Commanders host David Harrison said, is reducing Daniels’ unnecessary exposure to contact while preserving the mobility that changes how defenses must play.
Daniels has missed the past two-and-a-half games after dislocating his elbow against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, and Harrison said the Commanders should not respond by dramatically shrinking offensive coordinator David Blough’s playbook. With Marcus Mariota also hurt, Washington has less margin for subjecting its franchise quarterback to avoidable hits, but Harrison argued that asking Daniels to stay in the pocket at all costs would hand New York a major advantage.
Harrison drew a distinction between designed runs that force Daniels to absorb contact and plays that let him use his athleticism intelligently. A third-and-long read-option call can invite the quarterback to lower his shoulder against a defender near the sticks. A rollout with a run-pass option can still let Daniels create without putting him at risk of absorbing a big hit.
The protection plan also has to begin before the snap. Harrison pointed to quick throws, screens, play-action, moving the pocket and Daniels’ ability to diagnose coverage and protection adjustments. Those answers matter because the Giants have shown an eagerness to blitz, and Washington’s protection has not consistently held up while Daniels and Mariota have been sidelined.
Daniels’ return would give Blough a more experienced quarterback to identify pressure, shift protection and punish extra rushers than rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. Harrison said the offense must prove it can handle pressure without sacrificing the quarterback’s defining trait.
The immediate test comes Sunday. Washington entered the matchup at 1-3, and Harrison viewed the home game as a chance for Daniels to stabilize an offense that cannot afford another setback before a difficult trip to face San Francisco.
Daniels does not need a redesigned identity to return effectively. The Commanders need cleaner calls, faster answers against pressure, and a version of their quarterback run game that rewards his instincts without repeatedly putting his elbow and the season at risk.
Commanders News and Notes
– Harrison said Dan Quinn’s next four games will shape the season-ending conversation with owner Josh Harris, even if there is no single win total that automatically decides the coach’s future. Washington’s record since the start of the 2025 season, according to Harrison, has put added weight on whether the team shows a better trajectory against the Giants, 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.
– Harrison argued that general manager Adam Peters should be evaluated separately from Quinn. He credited Peters for selecting Daniels and identifying contributors, but said the interior offensive line and the limited impact from several members of the 2024 draft class remain significant concerns because they affect Washington’s ability to protect its quarterback and sustain its offense.
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