The Washington Commanders have trimmed their roster to the league limit, settling on an initial 53-man group after a busy stretch of moves over the last two days.
A few of the biggest names are technically on the list for now only as a procedural step. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton both appear on the initial 53, but each is expected to be moved to the reserve/injured list with a designation to return. That would clear room for two more players, with defensive tackle Shy Tuttle and cornerback Fabian Moreau the likely beneficiaries after being released.
There are also a few notable absences from the first version of the roster. Starting cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jeremy McNichols are not on the active 53, but both are slated to start the season on reserve/injured with designations to return. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong is out for Week 1 because of suspension and can come back in Week 2.
Here’s the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster:
Quarterback: 3
Running back: 3
Wide receiver: Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, Jaylin Lane
Tight end: 4
Offensive line: Laremy Tunsil, Brandon Coleman, Josh Conerly Jr., Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi, Chris Paul, Andrew Wylie, Matt Gulbin, D.J. Humphries, Tanoa Togiai
Defensive line: Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Johnny Newton, Tim Settle, Ricky Barber Jr.
Defensive end/EDGE: Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Joshua Josephs, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Charles Omenihu
Linebacker: Frankie Luvu, Sonny Styles, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano
Cornerback: Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas
Safety: Nick Cross, Jeremy Reaves, Quan Martin, Tyler Owens, Percy Butler
Specialists: 3
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Familiar Offensive Line Gamble To Consider
Injuries and thin depth are already forcing the Commanders to keep a close eye on their offensive line, and a familiar name just hit the market at exactly the wrong time for the rest of the NFC East. The Giants released Evan Neal, the former top-10 pick whose career has been slowed by injuries and position changes, and that kind of move always gets attention in Washington when the trenches start looking shaky.
Evan Neal is hardly a clean solution, but the Commanders have taken this sort of swing before, and there is at least a recent template for why they might do it again. A low-cost depth add with starting experience can look a lot more appealing when the alternatives are moving pieces around and hoping the line holds together, which is what makes this possibility worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face An Urgent Center Decision Before Week 1
The Commanders have already gotten their roster down to 53 players, but the work in the middle of the offensive line is far from settled. Center has become a spot worth watching as injuries and recent releases have left Washington looking for stability before Week 1, and that uncertainty has pushed the team to keep scanning the waiver wire for help.
Kingsley Eguakun is one name worth tracking after his release from the Cleveland Browns, especially with his past connection to Washington offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton. For a team trying to steady the front before the season opens, adding a center with some familiarity in the building would make sense, but the next move still has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Cornerback Problem They Cant Ignore
Washington finalized its initial 53-man roster, but the numbers at cornerback already look a little thin. After a series of cuts and the move of Trey Amos to injured reserve, the Commanders are sitting with only three cornerbacks on the roster, a shape that does not leave much margin for a position that can get stressed quickly over the course of a season.
There is some roster maneuvering still to come, with veteran defensive tackle Shy Tuttle cut in a move that is expected to be temporary once Washington creates more space by placing Laremy Tunsil and Jer'Zhan Newton on injured reserve. Even with those transactions in motion, the cornerback room remains a spot to watch, and the Commanders may need to add help there before the opener if they want to feel comfortable about their depth. [Read more 🡒]