The Washington Commanders added a familiar name to the mix on Monday, bringing back veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau as training camp ramps up in Ashburn.
Washington’s first full-pads practice of camp took place Monday at BigBear.ai Performance Center, a session that came with preseason preparations already in view. The Commanders are set to open their preseason schedule on August 14 against the Miami Dolphins, and coach Dan Quinn is still working to get a wave of new faces comfortable in the system.
That group includes running backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, defensive ends Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, tight end Chig Okonkwo, cornerback Amik Robertson, defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr., along with rookies Sunny Styles and Antonio Williams.
The Moreau move gives Washington another veteran body at corner and a player the organization knows well. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the signing, noting the reunion with both the franchise and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
“Veteran CB (cornerback) Fabian Moreau is returning to Washington, signing with the Commanders, who drafted him in 2017, source says. A double reunion for Moreau, who was with DC (defensive coordinator) Daronte Jones with the Vikings last year,” wrote Garafolo on X.
Moreau, now 32, spent the last two seasons in Minnesota. He played in 11 games for the Vikings last year, finishing with 17 total tackles and two passes defended.
Washington originally selected Moreau at No. 81 in 2017, and he was a productive piece of the defense over four seasons before moving on. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and later had stops with the Houston Texans, New York Giants and Denver Broncos.
Quinn has made it clear he wants real competition throughout camp, and Moreau will have to earn his place like everyone else. Still, for Washington, this is the kind of move that can quietly pay off if the veteran finds his footing again.
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