The Washington Commanders’ defense is already taking hits before the real work even begins, and that’s not the kind of start Daronte Jones had in mind as he tries to put his vision in place.
Day 13 of training camp brought a long list of absences, with some concerns sounding minor and others much more troubling. The unit Jones is trying to mold is missing several familiar faces, and the timing could hardly be worse as preparations continue to ramp up.
Among the unavailable players were the starting edge pair of Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Dan Quinn downplayed those issues, and Washington is clearly choosing caution at this point in camp.
Johnny Newton is a different story. He’s seeing a specialist for a pectoral injury, and Quinn said it could turn into a long-term situation. Free-agent addition Tim Settle Jr. is also out with a calf issue, adding another layer to the uncertainty up front.
The concerns don’t stop there. Trey Amos is dealing with an ankle injury, and his timeline remains unclear. Quinn said the picture should become sharper in the next week or two, but it’s looking increasingly possible that Amos won’t be ready to go when Week 1 arrives against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jordan Magee is working through a shoulder injury as he competes for a rotational linebacker role behind Frankie Luvu, Sonny Styles and free-agent signing Leo Chenal. Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. still hasn’t been seen on the practice field this offseason while rehabbing a quad injury he suffered early last season.
And on top of all that, Dorance Armstrong Jr. is suspended for the first game.
It’s a rough stretch for a defense trying to settle in under a new coordinator, but Jones isn’t in the business of leaning on excuses. He’s going to need other players to grab their chances and keep the whole thing moving.
There’s still enough talent spread across the defense to make progress at all three levels, even if the current absence list is far from ideal. The bigger concern is the short-term strain on the unit, especially with so many established names sidelined at once.
For now, the Commanders are handling injuries carefully, which is the right call this time of year. Rushing players back only makes the bigger picture worse. Jones will work with whoever is available and wait for clearer news on the rest, while also getting a better look at what the depth really looks like when it shows up on film.
He’s been waiting a long time for this shot, and he’s not about to let a few setbacks knock him off course. The players around him will have to match that mindset.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]