The Washington Commanders’ injury list is getting long fast, and the damage has already started to reshape how this preseason looks.
The biggest blow remains Laremy Tunsil, who tore his triceps on Aug. 8 and had successful surgery. He’s expected to miss significant time, possibly the entire season, and Brandon Coleman has moved back to left tackle in his place. Another major hit came on Wednesday night, when it was confirmed that Johnny Newton tore his triceps as well and will also be out for a significant stretch.
That’s only part of the problem. Washington also has concern at center, where Nick Allegretti strained his calf on Day 1 of camp, sat out three weeks, returned Tuesday, then left practice early again on Wednesday. There’s no fresh update on him, but the situation is especially shaky because he has mostly played guard in his NFL career and the Commanders don’t have an experienced backup.
Tight end John Bates dealt with a hamstring strain and missed about two weeks, but he’s back now and doesn’t appear to have any lingering issues.
The quarterback situation took a hit in Friday’s preseason opener when Marcus Mariota went down on Washington’s first offensive series with a leg injury. It turned out to be a sprained MCL, and he should be ready for Week 1. That injury may also have influenced Dan Quinn’s preseason approach with Jayden Daniels, especially with Sam Hartman and Athan Kaliakmanis the only other healthy quarterbacks on the roster.
Washington is also waiting on a few key pieces in the backfield and front seven. Jeremy McNichols is dealing with a quad injury and should be out for a week or two.
Rachaad White hurt his hamstring during last week’s joint practice with the Dolphins, which is why he hasn’t practiced this week. On defense, Odafe Oweh is working through a strained calf, while K’Lavon Chaisson injured his knee in joint practice.
Quinn said of Oweh, “[He] has a strained calf, kind of the early phase of that. We’re just being smart there.”
And on Chaisson, he said, “He injured his knee in the joint practice. Not significant, but we are being smart in that spot.”
The Commanders are also monitoring linebacker Jordan Magee, who hurt his shoulder in Friday’s preseason game. Quinn said, “He injured his shoulder in the game. We’ll hold him out this week, but nothing that’s gonna linger into the season or any of that.”
At cornerback, Trey Amos is another name to watch closely. He started camp on the physically unable-to-perform list, came back briefly, then injured his ankle and has been out since. With Washington’s cornerback depth already thin, that’s a major concern, and Quinn sounded uneasy about Amos last week.
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 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]