The Washington Commanders don’t get to file away that ugly preseason finale and pretend it never happened. It was a mess against the Baltimore Ravens, but it also didn’t land in the official record books, which is about the only break they got out of it.
Now the real stuff is here, and Dan Quinn knows the margin for error has already shrunk to almost nothing.
Washington is heading into a season that could shape the futures of Quinn, general manager Adam Peters, and a big chunk of the roster. The expectation is straightforward: get back to the playoffs, and at the very least finish above .500. That’s the bar, and it’s not a forgiving one.
The schedule does them no favors right away. The Commanders open with road games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, then come home in Week 3 to face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, though possibly without quarterback Sam Darnold. After that, they fly to London for the Indianapolis Colts, then return home to meet the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium.
There’s no soft landing here. Washington cannot afford to stumble out of the gate, especially after looking so out of sorts against Baltimore. If they show up in that same condition, Quinn’s team will be digging itself out before the season even gets going.
The encouraging part is that the picture has started to brighten in practice ahead of the trip to Lincoln Financial Field. After the low point following the Ravens joint practice, the Commanders appear to have steadied themselves.
At the very least, they are getting bodies back.
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil is out for likely the rest of the season after tearing his triceps, and that is a major blow. Second-year cornerback Trey Amos will miss at least the first four games with an ankle injury, and defensive lineman Johnny Newton remains a long-term absence after Quinn had expected big things from him.
But there is some good news in the return column. K’Lavon Chaisson is back.
Nick Allegretti is back. Odafe Oweh and Jacory Croskey-Merritt were limited in practice, but they are expected to play in Week 1.
That gives Washington a chance to go into Sunday with more of its roster intact than it had been for much of camp.
That matters. It doesn’t solve everything, and it certainly doesn’t erase the damage from injuries that helped sink Washington’s 2025 season, but it does change the tone heading into the opener.
Tunsil’s loss is enormous, and Newton’s absence is still a concern. Beyond that, the Commanders have at least started to trend in the right direction.
They still have plenty to prove. Health is only the first hurdle.
Doing it when the games count is the real test. And for Washington, that test arrives immediately.
In Other News...
Commanders May Be Nearing The End With One Of Their Steadiest Veterans
Tress Way has been one of the most familiar and steady faces in Washington since taking over punting duties in 2014, and the veteran specialist is now openly acknowledging the finish line may be coming into view. Way told reporters the 2026 season could be his last, and he has already let general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn know he is strongly considering retirement.
For a player who has earned three Pro Bowl selections and was recently voted a team captain for the fifth time, the possibility carries real weight inside a locker room that has long leaned on his consistency and professionalism. Way has been part of so much of the franchises recent history that his decision will resonate well beyond special teams, even if the final call is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Depth Chart Just Settled A Few Camp Battles Early
The first depth chart of the 2026 season gave the Commanders an early snapshot of where a few camp competitions stand after the opening stretch of work. Treylon Burks showed up as the third receiver ahead of rookie Antonio Williams, while undrafted rookie Tanoa Togiai landed backup spots at both guard positions, giving Washington a clearer picture of how the early roster puzzle is taking shape on offense.
On the other side of the ball, the back end of the defense stayed mostly familiar, with the top cornerbacks and safeties holding their places. Special teams brought one of the more notable developments, too, as Stevens emerged as the new kicker after beating out Jake Moody, another sign that the roster is starting to sort itself out even if a few jobs still have plenty of camp left to play. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Kyle Shanahan Debate
Kyle Shanahans name has a way of stirring things up in Washington, even when there is no real movement behind the scenes. NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently floated the idea that Shanahans time with the 49ers could come to an end after the upcoming season, and from there the discussion quickly turned to the Commanders, where the connection is obvious enough to get attention. For a franchise still sorting out its long-term identity, any conversation involving Shanahan naturally pulls fans into the larger debate about what the next era could look like.
Still, the path from speculation to reality looks extremely narrow right now. Shanahan is under contract, has his own history with the organization, and his career has long pointed in a different direction than a return to Washington in either a head coach or offensive coordinator role. For now, there have been no official moves or decisions, which leaves this as more of a fan-friendly debate than a true pursuit, even if it is the kind of possibility Commanders supporters will keep talking about. [Read more 🡒]