Injury-Riddled Commanders Face Evaluation Challenges as Season Winds Down
With two games left on the calendar, the Washington Commanders are limping toward the finish line-literally. What was supposed to be a valuable stretch for evaluating the roster heading into 2026 has turned into a survival mission, as injuries continue to pile up and cloud the team’s ability to get a clear read on key players.
Injuries Continue to Derail Roster Evaluation
The Commanders’ Week 16 loss to the Eagles was less a football game and more a war of attrition. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota, already stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels, didn’t make it through the third quarter, suffering injuries to his throwing hand and quadriceps. Mariota required stitches for the hand and is now considered day-to-day.
The offensive line took more hits as well. Brandon Coleman, filling in for Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, went down in the fourth quarter with a shin injury.
Tunsil remains day-to-day, but head coach Dan Quinn is hopeful Coleman can return if needed. Meanwhile, right guard Sam Cosmi and rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton were both pulled late in the game to be evaluated for concussions.
Newton has since been cleared, but Cosmi has entered the league’s concussion protocol.
At this point, the Commanders are running out of “next men up.” The attrition has reached a point where even basic offensive rhythm is hard to establish, let alone evaluate. Without consistent quarterback play and a healthy supporting cast, it’s nearly impossible to get an accurate read on the offensive unit’s potential heading into next season.
Quarterback Conundrum Looms Ahead of Cowboys Matchup
The quarterback situation is especially murky heading into the Christmas Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. With Mariota’s status uncertain and Daniels already ruled out for the rest of the season, the Commanders are weighing their options. According to Quinn, Daniels will not be considered even if Mariota is unavailable.
That leaves the team with a few short-term paths: start veteran Josh Johnson, elevate rookie Sam Hartman from the practice squad, or bring in an outside quarterback on short notice. None are ideal, especially with a quick turnaround before facing one of the NFC’s top defenses.
Treylon Burks Flashes Big-Play Ability Once Again
While the offense struggled to find consistency, wide receiver Treylon Burks reminded everyone why he’s still a player to watch. On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Burks hauled in a 24-yard bullet from Mariota over the middle-a difficult, contested catch that showcased his strong hands and body control. He finished the game with two catches for 30 yards and had another 16-yard gain wiped out by penalty.
Burks’ ability to make tough grabs in traffic has been a recurring theme this season, and it’s one of the few bright spots in an otherwise inconsistent aerial attack.
Jeremy Reaves Sees Reduced Role on Defense
Veteran safety Jeremy Reaves, long known for his high-effort play and leadership in the locker room, saw his defensive snaps take a significant dip in Week 16. After averaging 58% of the team’s defensive snaps this season, Reaves was on the field for just 26% against the Eagles.
The reduced role may have been matchup-based, but it also reflects ongoing concerns about his ability to finish tackles and maintain discipline in coverage. Still, Reaves remains a core contributor on special teams, where he made a standout play with a big hit that helped flip field position. The Commanders re-signed him to a one-year deal this past offseason, and while his future on defense is uncertain, his value on special teams remains unquestioned.
Mike Sainristil: Boom-or-Bust Defender
Mike Sainristil continues to be one of the more polarizing players on Washington’s defense. He opened the game against Philadelphia with a bang, forcing a fumble on the first play.
Later, he broke up a key third-and-11 pass intended for A.J. Brown.
But in between those highlight moments, he gave up a touchdown to DeVonta Smith after losing at the line of scrimmage-an all-too-familiar pattern for the second-year defensive back.
Sainristil has a knack for creating turnovers, but the inconsistency in coverage has made it tough for the coaching staff to fully trust him as a long-term solution. With so many of the Commanders’ young defenders regressing this season, the front office and coaching staff will have to take a hard look at player development and scheme fit this offseason.
Mariota’s Deep Passing Surprises Despite Limited Time
Before his injury, Marcus Mariota was quietly leading the NFL in two surprising passing metrics. According to Pro Football Focus, Mariota had the league’s highest average depth of target at 10.6 yards and threw a league-high 53% of his passes beyond the first-down marker.
That’s a stark contrast to the approach the Commanders had with Jayden Daniels, whose average depth of target was 7.6 yards. The offense was built around quick throws and yards after the catch with Daniels.
But with Mariota under center, the playbook opened up vertically. The veteran QB had led the team to 34 completions of 20-plus yards, including six that went for 40 or more.
It’s a small sample size, but Mariota’s aggressiveness downfield offered a glimpse into what this offense could look like with more protection and a healthy supporting cast. Whether that’s enough to earn him another look next year remains to be seen, but his willingness to push the ball downfield has been a notable shift.
Bottom Line
The Commanders’ 2025 season is winding down with more questions than answers. Injuries have made it difficult to properly evaluate the roster, particularly on offense.
The quarterback situation is in flux, the offensive line is battered, and the defense is still searching for consistency. But within the chaos, there are individual performances-like those from Treylon Burks, Mike Sainristil, and Marcus Mariota-that offer glimmers of hope.
The next two games may not mean much in the standings, but for a franchise looking to reset and rebuild, every snap still matters.