The Washington Commanders didn’t initially tip their hand, but eventually ruled out QB Jayden Daniels. But a Week 5 return looks reasonable. Daniels’ status makes a big difference as we look at the Commanders Week 4 injury report versus the Colts and what it means for fantasy football.

Daniels suffered a bad-looking dislocated elbow against the Cowboys in Week 2. There was talk of season-ending surgery. But now it appears Daniels will be able to play. But not in this weekend’s game in London. He traveled with the team and practiced, but the Commanders eventually decided to sit him out.

And this decision makes a big difference for fantasy managers.

How do Commanders change fantasy-wise under QB Jayden Daniels?

It should be understood that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is a viable NFL starter. Against the Colts’ defense, which is last in the NFL in yards allowed, Mariota still gives the Commanders a chance to score points.

But Daniels is the more dynamic option. And he is hoping to get back out on the field soon. He said he’s not worried about being back on the field in terms of reinjury.

“Obviously you have those conversations with people I need to have those conversations with,” Daniels said. “If the surgery was needed to be ASAP, then I've got to do what's best for me. We had those conversations. I was blessed enough to go back out there on the practice field. I'm not really concerned at this moment. That's what the brace is for. If I had that concern, I would have gotten surgery.”

“I love playing football,” Daniels said. “I get paid to play football. Everybody is hurting. I just feel, for me being a leader, go out there and give it my shot to go out and play and obviously protect myself. I just love football and have a passion for it.”

Are the Commanders still steady with QB Marcus Mariota?

There is a key difference between Daniels and Mariota. And that is Terry McLaurin. For whatever reason, McLaurin looked old and lost in the Commanders’ offense with Daniels on the field. With Mariota under center, McLaurin returned to his usual fantasy self.

Stefon Diggs seems to be a better match for Daniels, according to NBC Sports.

“The McLaurin Air Yards Machine went brrrr in Week 3 with Marcus Mariota at quarterback for Washington,” Denny Carter wrote. “McLaurin accounted for 45 percent of the team’s air yards, good for 102 low-calorie air yards on the day.

“McLaurin, I think, fits Mariota better than Stefon Diggs, who was going to cook if Jayden Daniels started 17 games.”

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So, with Mariota confirmed to start, it’s time for fantasy managers to confidently fire up McLaurin. The Colts defense is a good matchup for the Commanders’ offense. McLaurin should have a good game.

Diggs should be OK, too. It’s possible the Commanders’ offense could be good enough to support two fantasy-relevant receivers.

What about the Commanders’ other fantasy players?

Another player on the injury report is Rachaad White. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. And he didn’t get any reps on Friday. White has a shoulder injury, and it looks like he won’t be available.

If he is unable to suit up, it will give Austin Ekeler to return to the field for the Commanders. He makes more sense as a third-down back than Kaytron Allen.

But from a fantasy perspective, all Commanders running backs should be avoided. There’s a decent chance the Commanders will fall behind early. But even if they don’t, it will likely be the passing game that makes the offense go.

Maybe you could roll the dice on Jacory Croskey-Merritt. But keep in mind it is a dice roll. The Colts’ defense has struggled with physical runners. So Croskey-Merritt could get double-digit carries. The big question is whether he can convert those into touchdowns.

Another player to consider is tight end Chig Okonkwo. Mariota ignored the tight ends against the Seahawks. However, he didn’t have Okonkwo. And Okonkwo is the Commanders’ only real receiving threat at the tight end position. Without him on the field, the Commanders simply won’t throw to their tight ends very much. Okonkwo is worth consideration as a low-end fantasy start this week. He’s a sleeper against the Colts.

Overall, the Commanders provide risky fantasy options. There’s a chance Mariota could have a very good day. And it’s possible that McLaurin goes off. However, it’s also almost as likely that both of them will fail miserably. With the game being played early Sunday morning, it’s hard to take that kind of risk. If it backfires, it stays with fantasy managers for the rest of the day. There are better options available on the fantasy football landscape.