The Commanders’ preseason trip to Detroit is about more than just another exhibition. After opening with a 20-7 win over the Miami Dolphins, Washington now gets a different kind of test against the Lions - one that should tell Dan Quinn plenty about how a few key jobs are sorting themselves out.
Quinn said a good amount of starters will get some playing time, though exactly who suits up and for how long is still up in the air. Even so, this feels like a meaningful snap-by-snap look at a roster still taking shape. And there are three spots in particular that deserve close attention.
The first starts at cornerback, where Trey Amos won’t be available against Detroit. Quinn said the Commanders’ top cornerback is dealing with an ankle sprain while also working back from the fractured fibula that ended his 2025 season, but added that the arrow is trending up. For now, his absence opens the door for others to grab live reps and make a case.
Rasul Douglas could get valuable time as he settles into his new environment, while Amik Robertson keeps battling Mike Sainristil for snaps. Washington’s secondary is still very much a work in progress, and the corner spot is only one piece of a larger puzzle.
Another battle worth watching is the safety job next to Nick Cross. Washington gave Cross a two-year contract worth up to $14 million this offseason, so that spot looks spoken for. The real question is who lines up beside him.
Quan Martin has held the full-time role since 2024 and will try to show he should keep it. Jeremy Reaves is also in the mix, and his standing in the organization continues to rise. Then there’s Will Harris, who played every down in his nine healthy games last season and now has to show that level of usage was warranted, not just a product of necessity.
The receiver room brings its own intrigue, even with Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs forming the top of the depth chart. Diggs’ late-summer arrival gave Washington the kind of second star it needed, but the No. 3 spot behind them is still unsettled.
Antonio Williams has been one of the more talked-about rookies since the Commanders took him in the third round in April. The Clemson product has shown the speed and smooth route-running that made him such an appealing prospect, and plenty of people expect him to claim the job. But Luke McCaffrey has made this a real conversation.
McCaffrey has put together a strong camp and was listed as a starter on the unofficial depth chart before Washington beat Miami. Another solid outing against the Lions would only strengthen his case.
The fit matters here, too: McCaffrey and Williams both work best in the slot, the same area where Diggs has spent much of his time as he’s gotten older. Someone is going to have to line up opposite McLaurin on the outside.
Jaylin Lane, Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks and Van Jefferson are still hanging around that mix as well. It’s tough to picture any of them jumping McCaffrey or Williams, but the preseason is built for forcing a few uncomfortable conversations.
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 🡒]
Stefon Diggs Is Already Changing The Feeling Around Washington
Stefon Diggs has wasted little time becoming part of the conversation in the Commanders locker room, and the early word around the veteran receiver has been upbeat. Sam Cosmi has already praised Diggs for the way he carries himself and for the effect he has had on teammates, including Terry McLaurin, while Dan Quinn has made it clear he expects that kind of presence from a player with Diggs rsum.
For Washington, the appeal goes beyond another proven target. The Commanders are looking for steady voices and a sharper edge inside the building, and Diggs appears to be supplying both in a way that is changing the feel around the team. His reputation has followed him into Washington, but the early signs suggest the version teammates are seeing now is leaving a very different impression. [Read more 🡒]