Washington’s backfield picture got a little clearer Sunday, and a little more crowded at the same time.
Jeremy McNichols’ quadriceps injury is going to sideline him for a couple of weeks, Dan Quinn said at his press conference. That means McNichols will miss the Lions game and lose more practice time after already sitting out the joint practice session and game against the Miami Dolphins. For a veteran who has the staff’s trust, that’s a tough break at a bad moment.
The timing matters because Washington’s rookie runners made noise in the opener. Robert Henry Jr. and Kaytron Allen now have an even bigger runway this preseason after taking advantage of their chances against Miami.
McNichols’ value to the team has been tied to the details - pass protection, catching the ball, and work on special teams - so this injury doesn’t automatically knock him out of the roster mix. But every rep he misses gives someone younger another chance to stack good tape.
Sunday also brought a fresh round of roster churn. Washington worked out defensive linemen McTelvin Agim, Evan Anderson, Maurice Hurst, and Jonathan Harris, along with running backs Montrell Johnson, Craig Reynolds, Blake Watson, and Marcus Yarns. The team continues to sort through depth on the defensive front, and the timing lined up with Quinn’s update on McNichols.
Reynolds is a familiar name in the building. He appeared in three games for the Redskins in 2019 before later moving on to the Lions.
There was better news on the injury front, too. Tight end John Bates is set to return to practice Tuesday after being out for multiple weeks with a hamstring injury.
While he’s been sidelined, Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff, and Lawrence Cager have picked up more chances. With two preseason games left, Bates is coming back in time to get back into the system, and Quinn noted that he has already been around practice and knows the terminology.
So Washington has one injury creating an opening and another player returning to start reclaiming it.
In Other News...
Sam Hartmans Commanders Roster Fight Already Looks Much Tougher
Sam Hartman is back in another Washington Commanders offseason, and the path hes trying to carve out at quarterback looks steeper than it did a few weeks ago. Entering his third summer with the organization, Hartman is still trying to turn familiarity into staying power, but the room around him has changed enough to make every rep matter. Washingtons latest addition at the position has only tightened the competition and pushed Hartman into a more precarious place on the roster.
Hartman now sits at the bottom of the quarterback depth chart, which is never a comfortable spot for a player trying to prove he belongs. The Commanders still have time to sort out the position battle, but the early signs suggest Hartmans margin for error is slim and his clearest path may not even be to the active roster. For a player entering his third offseason with the team, the fight is no longer just about beating out another quarterback, its about avoiding being squeezed out entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Johnny Newton Is Entering A Commanders Battle Few Saw Coming
Dan Quinn has made it clear Johnny Newton is still part of Washingtons plans, even as the second-year defensive lineman works through a transition that has not been entirely smooth. The No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has flashed some pass-rushing ability, but he is still dealing with issues of play strength and the demands of fitting into the Commanders new 3-4 front.
For now, Newtons roster spot is safe, but the competition around him has sharpened the stakes. Other linemen are outperforming him, and Washington still wants to see him become a more complete player before it can be sure of his long-term role, leaving his path more precarious than it looked when he arrived. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Sharpened Washingtons Biggest Camp Battles
Marcus Mariotas MCL sprain was one of the main injury notes Dan Quinn walked through in his latest press conference, but the Commanders sounded encouraged about the quarterbacks timeline as camp moves toward the regular season. Quinn also gave updates on Trey Amos recovery progress and Nick Allegrettis return to practice, while making clear that Washington is still in the middle of sorting out some important roster spots before the real games begin.
The biggest competition remains at center, where the reps are still being sorted out and every practice matters as the staff evaluates who can handle the job. Quinn also touched on linebacker Sonny Styles development and the teams communication across the board, a reminder that Washingtons training camp is less about finishing answers than building toward them. [Read more 🡒]