Dan Quinn got one piece of reassuring news Wednesday and one potentially troubling update for the Commanders’ season opener.
Bill Croskey-Merritt and K'Lavon Chaisson are both back and ready to go, and Quinn said both are expected to play in the 2026 opener Sept. 13 in Philadelphia against the Eagles. Getting the No. 1 running back on the field matters, because it helps ease the burden on Jayden Daniels and gives Washington a better chance to slow down Philadelphia’s pass rush.
Chaisson’s availability matters, too, especially when the Eagles are forced into passing situations. His game has long been built around rushing the passer, even if run defense has not been one of his stronger traits.
The concern comes on the other side of the ball. Asked whether Odafe Oweh will be ready for the opener, Quinn said, "I'll take it when I get through. I'd rather comment on that after he goes through some of the practices."
That answer points toward uncertainty, and it could leave the Commanders thin at a key spot in Week 1. With Dorance Armstrong suspended by the NFL for the opener, Washington may already be down one of its top pass rushers. If Oweh is also unavailable, then two of the team’s top three edge players would miss the Philadelphia game.
If that happens, the Commanders would likely have to lean on rookies Joshua Josephs and Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The question is whether they’re ready for that kind of responsibility right away, in a season opener, against the Eagles.
After reviewing film from the Commanders’ preseason game against the Lions, it would not be a surprise if Jalen Hurts is asked to keep the ball a few times early to test Josephs and see how well he understands his duties against a zone read option. Josephs crashed inside to chase the ball carrier and left quarterback Joshua Dobbs free to run for a 50-yard touchdown.
Armstrong’s absence is already locked in. He was the Commanders’ leading pass rusher on the 2025 team before a nasty knee injury ended his season, and now the league suspension keeps him out of Week 1 as well.
Quinn, though, does not appear to be in the business of forcing players back before they’re ready. If Oweh ends up waiting until Week 2 in Dallas to make his burgundy and gold debut, it would at least mean more time in physical therapy to work through his strained calf.
In Other News...
Commanders Face One Big Week 1 Problem Before Brutal Start
The early stretch of Washingtons 2026 schedule leaves little room for easing in, and the Commanders are already dealing with a familiar kind of September concern: availability. They open on the road against Philadelphia and Dallas, and the injury list has already taken a bite out of both lines, with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton sidelined for now.
There is some good news in the recent return of several key players to practice, including Daron Payne, Marcus Mariota, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson. Odafe Oweh is also working back from a calf injury and is expected to be close to full practice soon, which gives Washington at least some hope that the defense can get healthier before the opener. What matters next is whether that progress comes fast enough to steady a team facing one of the leagues toughest starts right out of the gate. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Kicking Battle Just Brought A Tough Roster Decision
The Commanders kicking competition ended with a notable shake-up in camp, as undrafted rookie Drew Stevens won the job and pushed incumbent Jake Moody off the roster. It is the sort of decision teams hope to avoid late in the summer, but Washington clearly decided the rookie had earned the chance, giving Stevens one of the 32 NFL roster spots available to kickers.
Moody has since landed on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, while Stevens is left to savor a path that once began as a preferred walk-on in college. For a young specialist, making an NFL roster is a hard climb under any circumstances, and Stevens described the moment as a chance he is grateful to have, even as the real test of his NFL future is only beginning. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookies Are Forcing A Bigger Week 1 Debate Than Expected
Training camp has given Washington a clearer look at its 2023 draft class, and it has also created a real conversation about how soon some of those rookies might matter. Linebacker Sonny Styles, wide receiver Antonio Williams, edge rusher Joshua Josephs and running back Kaytron Allen have all spent the summer trying to carve out roles, with the staff sorting through different levels of progress as preseason work continues.
What makes the evaluation interesting is that this does not look like a class destined for one simple label. Some of the rookies appear better suited to immediate contributions, while others may need more time before they fit into the regular-season plan, and those distinctions can shift quickly once the games start counting. For Washington, the Week 1 picture is still taking shape, and the rookies are pushing to make it a tougher decision than expected. [Read more 🡒]