The Washington Commanders are at a crossroads with Trey Amos, and Dan Quinn isn’t giving much away.
Amos is now eligible to come off injured reserve after missing most of the year with a fractured fibula and an ankle sprain, but the team has not committed to starting his 21-day return window. When asked directly whether that process would be triggered, Quinn said it was “to be determined,” leaving the cornerback’s status even murkier.
That uncertainty has lingered since Amos first got hurt during his second practice back at training camp. He was ruled out early, and Quinn never sounded especially optimistic about any kind of timeline. The decision to place him on injured reserve to open the season also didn’t sit well with plenty of fans.
Now Washington has to decide how aggressive to be.
Amos’ social media workout clips make it look like a comeback could be close, but the Commanders are clearly weighing more than the glimpse he’s putting out there. They need to know he’s truly healthy before they ask him to jump back into NFL action, especially after such a long stretch away from the field.
If and when he is cleared, it still won’t be an instant return to a full role. Amos will need time to shake off the rust and find his footing again. The Commanders are looking for him to get back to the level he showed as a rookie, and if that happens, the Ole Miss product could eventually pair with Amik Robertson to give Washington a strong cornerback tandem.
For now, though, that’s only a projection. If the Commanders don’t activate his return window right away, it could point to more going on with the ankle sprain than was first known.
Quinn didn’t offer a firm answer, which suggests the next step depends on conversations with the medical staff and the player himself before any decision is made.
Until Amos is ready, Washington will keep leaning on Robertson, Rasul Douglas, and Fabian Moreau. That trio is Daronte Jones’ preferred group, with Mike Sainristil sliding out of the picture. The group has held up well, but Amos would still be a meaningful upgrade if he can get back and stay right.
The Commanders are also likely to take a careful approach even after he’s designated to return. He’s itching to get back, but Washington won’t rush him if they believe he needs more time.
That caution makes sense. The Commanders thought they landed a steal when Amos slipped to No. 61 overall last year, and he was already showing real promise before the injury hit. But talent only matters if he can stay on the field.
Activating his 21-day window would be the first real sign that a return is coming. After that, it becomes a matter of ramping him up, testing the ankle, and easing him back into the rotation before asking for a full load.
Right now, nobody knows exactly when that happens.
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