The Washington Commanders are 1-3 on the season having gone through a gauntlet of injuries and updates including Jayden Daniels getting the greenlight to play in Week 5 vs. the New York Giants. Backup QB Marcus Mariota also got an update that will keep him off the IR.

The Commanders have a chance to score a big NFC East win, but it's going to take a team effort against a talented John Harbaugh and Jameis Winston lead team with a 3-1 record coming in and everything to play for heading toward the midseason mark of the 2026 NFL season.

Fantasy football players invested big in Daniels along with his receivers and other skill players during draft season including Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs, both of whom have injury issues heading into Week 5. Both Diggs and McLaurin were listed on the injury report, giving fantasy players plenty to think about as lineup-setting time draws near for Sunday's fantasy battles.

Stefon Diggs out for Week 5

Diggs is listed as out for Week 5 after not participating in coach Dan Quinn's practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dyami Brown, who had three catches for 65 yards last week, is expected to fill in for Diggs.

Brown looks like a solid sleeper option based on last week's performance and his history of performing well in big games including a win over the top-seeded Detroit Lions in January 2025.

McLaurin questionable for Week 5

McLaurin is listed as questionable with his own hamstring injury ahead of the Giants game after not participating on Wednesday and Thursday in practice but bouncing back with limited participation Friday.

McLaurin would be a big addition to Daniels' offense if he can play with his last performance a six-catch, 77-yard and one touchdown game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 27.

Backup Treylon Burks looks like a fringe fantasy football option after recording a 47-yard touchdown catch on three targets on October 4 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Williams needs to get going

Brown, Burks, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Diggs were the team's leading receivers, while Week 1 surprise Antonio Williams lagged behind with three catches for 21 yards.

Williams had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia but hasn't recaptured the same magic since. Daniels sliding back into his familiar starting role could up the fantasy value on Williams, as the two young guns seem to have a connection with each other based on Week 1's results.

Commanders run game needs help

The Commanders' run game could be the X-factor in Week 5's matchup against the Giants after a forgettable outing against the Colts in Week 4. Coach Quinn's team's leading rusher was Mariota, who had just one carry for 35 yards.

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Veteran runner Austin Ekeler was next with four carries for 29 yards. The team waived a veteran runner before Week 5 and are expected to rely heavily on Croskey-Merritt.

Commanders Week 5 fantasy outlook

The Commanders are due for a big performance on paper but health-wise they look like the walking wounded heading into Week 5 among their top skill position players.

Daniels knows he likely won't have to put up 40 points to beat Winston and the Giants unless something unexpected happens, which should give him confidence to pace himself mentally and physically. If Daniels can play like his usual self, Williams could have a big fantasy day.

McLaurin also could be in line for a big fantasy day as a possession receiver but would need to find paydirt once or twice to justify starting him because he likely won't have a ton of yards in Week 5 due to hamstring issues.

Croskey-Merritt might be the sleep of this bunch as he could have a big day both rushing and receiving. Dyami Brown also has a great opportunity to vault himself back into Quinn's good graces with another big performance and is worth a flier if your team has injuries of its own.