Can Jayden’s return against the Chargers absolve Washington’s issues?

Injuries have decimated the Commanders’ roster as they head into a huge inter-conference matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, but Jayden Daniels is back for Washington. After a two-week absence on the field due to a knee injury, the team doctors have cleared Daniels to play, and it’s a spot on the calendar where Washington desperately needs to shake the stench off of last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Can Jayden Daniels return to the lineup and absolve Washington of all of their deficiencies this week?

It’s not an easy task, but it is entirely familiar to Daniels. Against the Chargers, Washington will enter the game without five players who were starters in week one due to injury. Furthermore, the last time Daniels was on the field, Nick Allegretti and Brandon Coleman were his starting guards. They were replaced by Andrew Wylie and Chris Paul, respectively. The team has faced constant change as weeks go by, but Jayden can bring stability and hopefully get the offense back on track.

Jayden’s presence and overall threat to a defense extend beyond the production of the offense, too, though. It keeps the defense, which has struggled to prevent explosive pass plays, off the field or playing with leads more often.

There are variables, though. Washington’s offense, with and without Daniels playing, has had a hard time converting on third down this season. Their third-down percentage is the fifth-worst offense in the league. The offense is also a bottom-third defense in penalties. They have consistently gotten in their own way in critical moments. That has to change if they want to give themselves the best opportunity to win against the Chargers.

You can listen to the full Trap or Dive podcast below, where we further explored the importance of Jayden Daniels’s return.

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