Adam Peters used his weekly radio hit Friday to touch on a little bit of everything facing the Commanders right now: Jayden Daniels’ growth, a battered defensive line, Antonio Williams’ rise, and the trade deadline sitting just ahead.
The biggest personnel news around the building remains the injuries. Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne are both out for the season, and Terry McLaurin has already had successful surgery to repair a torn patellar. Peters said McLaurin has still been around the facility and has been lifting others up.
There’s also concern about Dyami Brown after he suffered a calf injury in Thursday’s practice. Peters said the team is hoping Johnny Newton can return for Sunday’s home game, and that Bill Croskey-Merritt will be able to play the Bengals when he’s eligible to come off injured reserve.
Peters had plenty to say about Daniels, and he made clear he isn’t worried about the quarterback’s ability to challenge tight coverage.
“I believe in him and how great he is and he can be. The more repetitions he gets in this offense, the better he’s going to get.
You’re seeing that. There are things we’re seeing for the first time that he’ll know for next time.
He’s going to get more comfortable in this offense as we go. That’s what should happen. ...
I’d put Jayden being able to throw in a tight window with anybody. He’s a great passer and he trusts his arm and he trusts his accuracy and he trusts his receivers.
I don’t have any issues not throwing it in tight windows. I don’t see that.
What I do see is a guy who is taking care of the football. That’s really the most important thing and not turning the ball over.
Even though our record doesn’t reflect it, we’ve been really good about taking care of the football and taking it away. If we continue to do that, that will reflect in our record.”
He also pointed to the depth behind the injured front line and said Johnny Newtown has beaten the expected timeline after rehabbing a pec injury. Peters said Newton has practiced the last two weeks and will be back, while Tim Settle has “really started to come on,” Shy Tuttle has been “a really good part of our rotation,” Deatrich Wise should help in the run game, and Charles Omenihu had his best game for Washington coming off injury.
“I think he’s going to take off for us.“
Antonio Williams continues to earn more trust, too. Peters said the receiver keeps showing up whenever the ball comes his way and has become a dependable target for the quarterback.
“Every time we look his way, he comes through for us. And, whether he gets the ball or not, I feel like he’s always open.
He has been coached really well here and was coached really well at Clemson. He also has this innate ability to find spots and be a friendly target for the quarterback.
He has earned the right to get more targets. ... We won’t force it to him, but he obviously makes it easy when he gets open all the time.
We’re excited and pleased with his progress throughout the year. He’s going to keep getting more targets.“
As for the trade deadline, Peters said the market is still in the waiting phase and that the Commanders aren’t going to be pushed into anything by Sunday’s result.
“As we get closer, they always want to get through the week. ... Anything that happens will happen early next week, if it does.
There are a lot of calls. Our guys are fielding calls on other teams.
I don’t see anything heating up today or tomorrow. We’ll see what happens on Monday. ...
The results of the game aren’t going to dictate what we do. It’s a matter of whether we think it’s a move that’s right for our team.
If it’s a good value, we’ll do it, whether its buying or selling as they say. But what happens on Sunday doesn’t really dictate what we’re going to be doing.“
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Getting The Rams Defense They Didnt Want
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The Rams are still evaluating his readiness before making it official, but the signs point toward him being available Sunday. For a Commanders offense already staring at a tough matchup, the timing could hardly be worse if Garrett is cleared to suit up. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face A Brutal Test With Their Offense Under Pressure
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Los Angeles brings a balanced challenge, and the matchup leans into the areas where the Rams have looked most capable lately. They have shown advantages both on the ground and through the air against a Washington defense that will have to hold up under pressure for four quarters. With the betting market backing the Rams, the Commanders are left needing a cleaner, more efficient offensive outing than the one they can afford to waste. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Short-Week Roster Squeeze Before Rams Game
Washingtons short week is already turning into a roster-management test before the Rams arrive, with the receiver room taking on some early wear and tear. Treylon Burks missed both practices because of a foot injury, while Dyami Brown was limited with a calf issue, leaving the Commanders to juggle health and availability as they try to get through a quick turnaround.
The moves on the transaction wire showed how tightly things are being managed, with Robert Henry Jr. activated and Ricky Barber moved onto the active roster as Washington keeps patching together depth. The Rams are dealing with their own injury concerns and roster shuffling, including promoting kicker Joshua Karty, so both sides are heading into the matchup with more questions than theyd like for a game that is coming up fast. [Read more 🡒]