The Commanders may have a very different look in the backfield for Friday’s preseason opener, and it starts with the absence of a familiar name. Jeremy McNichols has been unusually quiet in training camp, but this time the silence comes with a catch: the 30-year-old running back is dealing with a strained quadriceps and has been out this week.
That’s notable because McNichols has made a habit of flying under the radar and then showing up when it matters. He was overshadowed in both the 2024 and 2025 camps by more eye-catching prospects, yet he kept earning his spot by doing the dirty work - picking up blitzes, handling coverage-team duties and staying reliable in pass protection and on third-down routes. He also delivered one of the Commanders’ biggest plays on the ground last season, ripping off a 60-yard touchdown against the Raiders for the team’s second-longest rushing attempt of the year.
This offseason, though, Washington added more competition to the room. The Commanders signed Jerome Ford, who will turn 27 in September after rushing for 813 yards in 2023 and averaging 5.4 yards a carry in 2024. General manager Adam Peters also added Kaytron Allen through the draft and brought in Robert Henry Jr. and Rachaad White.
With McNichols sidelined and White plus Jacory Croskey-Merritt getting plenty of work in Wednesday’s scrimmage, the workload Friday night figures to tilt toward Ford, Allen and Henry. The Commanders open the preseason against the Dolphins at Northwest Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Jayden Daniels Has Commanders Fans Worried About A Bigger Problem
A video clip of Jayden Daniels doing some light stretching has been making the rounds, and it has only added another layer of concern to a Washington offseason already shaped by his health. The Commanders quarterback was limited to seven games last season because of multiple injuries and was shut down for the final stretch, so even routine movement clips tend to draw extra attention from fans who are eager for signs that he is fully back.
Training camp reports have painted a better picture, with Daniels said to look healthy as the team moves through camp. Still, Washington is dealing with another important concern up front after the injury to left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and that creates a different kind of pressure on the offense. For a team that needs Daniels upright and protected, the bigger question may not be only how he looks in a video, but how stable the line around him can be when the real work begins. [Read more 🡒]
Sam Hartmans Commanders Roster Fight Already Looks Much Tougher
Sam Hartmans third offseason with the Commanders has turned into another tense stretch at the bottom of the quarterback room. He entered camp trying to carve out a real role, but Washingtons recent addition at the position has changed the tone of the competition and made every snap matter a little more. What once looked like a developmental battle now feels more like a test of whether Hartman can simply hang on long enough to stay in the conversation.
The depth chart reflects how steep the climb has become. Hartman is currently the lowest-ranked quarterback on the roster, and his path forward is far from clear as the team continues sorting through its options. For a player still trying to establish himself in Washington, the question is no longer just whether he can win a job, but whether there will be a place for him in the building at all. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A Backup QB Concern They Cant Ignore
Marcus Mariota was supposed to give the Commanders a steady hand in the preseason opener against the Dolphins, but his night ended much earlier than planned. The veteran backup completed 1 of 3 passes for 22 yards before leaving with a leg injury, after which Washington turned to Sam Hartman and then Athan Kaliakmanis to finish out the quarterback snaps.
Dan Quinn did not have an immediate update after the game, leaving the team to wait for a clearer picture on Mariotas condition. For a Washington roster trying to sort out depth behind the starter, any issue with the top backup is the kind of concern that can linger longer than a single preseason outing. [Read more 🡒]