Giants’ John Harbaugh Refuses To Rule Out Jayden Daniels Factor For Week 5

The New York Giants are feeling it. Despite losing Jaxson Dart to injury for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, the NFC East Division team has been finding ways to win and keeping their heads above water, with two wins in a row since Dart went down in a Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on the road.

The Giants defeated the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, an ugly win for New York, but a win nonetheless. Then in Week 4, New York took down the Arizona Cardinals, 36-24, with Jameis Winston throwing three touchdowns (and two interceptions).

At 3-1, New York is having a solid start, all things considered, and the Giants will be looking to improve on that at the expense of a division rival this coming weekend, as they are about to face the Washington Commanders in Week 5 at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

The Giants could also be catching Washington at just the right time. The Commanders have looked vulnerable after Jayden Daniels suffered an elbow injury in a game against the Dallas Cowboys. He hasn’t played since, with Marcus Mariota staring for Washington in Week 3 and Week 4.

However, Mariota also suffered an injury in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Harbaugh watches from the sideline against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

All that being said, New York head coach John Harbaugh is preparing his team as though the Giants will be facing a Daniels-led Commanders squad on Sunday.

“We’re going to have to prepare for Jayden [Daniels] – until they say he’s not playing, we’re assuming he’s playing,” Harbaugh told reporters, via SNY Giants.

With Daniels and Mariota hurt, the only healthy QB on Washington’s roster at the moment is rookie seventh-rounder Athan Kaliakmanis, who stepped in after Mariota left the Colts game with an injury. The former Rutgers QB went 15/33 for 186 passing yards and a touchdown with an interception in a 30-13 loss.

Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Daniels (5) gets into a cart with a towel over his head before leaving the game with an apparent injury to his left arm during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images