Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels loses one weapon but gains another one Monday night.
Last week, Daniels lost running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt during the game against the New York Giants. Early, Bill showed good explosion on his way to his 33-yard touchdown run. However, he had only one carry in the second half and did not return thereafter. He did not practice this week, and head coach Dan Quinn told the media that Croskey-Merritt re-injured the same groin injury he first hurt during the preseason. Quinn also ruled out the second-year running back for Monday’s game against the 49ers.
Better news: receiver Stefon Diggs was back on the practice field Friday. Diggs missed last week’s practices and game after straining a hamstring.
The Commanders felt he needed rest and are willing to try Diggs on Monday to see if he's active.
Sunday saw the NFC is more wide open than we've perhaps realized. The Eagles were without quarterback Jalen Hurts and lost at home 25-14 to the Carolina Panthers. The Giants fell to the New Orleans Saints 34-27. And the Dallas Cowboys fell to the Green Bay Packers 23-13. The Giants are now 3-2-1, and the Eagles and Cowboys are 2-4. With a win on Monday night, the Commanders would move to 2-3-1.
Don’t expect the 49ers defense to play man-to-man coverage too often. The Giants game showed that when opposing defensive banks are in man coverage with their backs turned, Daniels simply took off, scoring on 38- and 26-yard touchdown runs. The 49ers will plan to shut down Daniels' runs by playing zone coverage, forcing the Commanders’ receivers to read the zones and get open.
Another thing that would help Daniels would be if the defense gets safeties Nick Cross and Tyler Owens and cornerback Trey Amos. All three practiced more this week than last, and all are recovering from injury after missing the Giants game last week. Observant fans noticed last week that cornerback Mike Sainristil, who had been significantly benched, was also playing safety and special teams. He saw action on 48% of defensive snaps and 51% of special teams snaps. If Cross and Percy Butler both return at safety and Amos makes his 2026 debut, could Sainristil actually be inactive on Monday?
Daniels is likely watching closely to see if running back Jeremy McNichols is activated. With Croskey-Merritt out, McNichols could add size, inside toughness, and both pass-catching and pass protection to the equation. Quinn did go as far, Saturday, as saying McNichols “This is one of our most professional ball players on, off, what he can bring. So, as we get to Monday, he’s had a very good week, and we will decide from there.”
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels loses one weapon, could gain another vs 49ers
