Washington’s injury picture keeps getting messier at exactly the wrong time.
As the Commanders try to clean up the new looks being installed on both sides of the ball, they’re doing it with a long and growing list of unavailable players. On Thursday morning, that list got another name when running back Rachaad White was added after suffering a hamstring injury on the final play of the joint practice with Miami.
Dan Quinn told reporters White is "certainly close," but he will not play Saturday against Detroit. That means Washington loses another preseason rep for a back who had been part of a crowded competition in the backfield, where Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, Robert Henry Jr., and others are still battling for roles.
Quinn also provided updates on several other injured players. Trey Amos is "trending up" as he works back from an ankle issue that interrupted his return after a fractured fibula, but he will not suit up Saturday night. Quinn said he still does not know when Amos will be back to full participation, and he noted Wednesday that Amos needs some real football work before he’s ready for Week 1 because he has had very little practice time this summer.
Nick Allegretti’s situation also took a small turn. He had just returned to practice this week after missing most of camp with a calf injury, but Quinn described Thursday’s development as "a light setback." It doesn’t wipe out the progress Allegretti has made, but it does slow the momentum he was trying to build alongside Jayden Daniels.
There was also a significant update on Johnny Newton. Quinn confirmed Newton underwent successful surgery on his torn pectoral and is expected to miss significant time. The team has not yet said how it plans to handle the injury when it comes to a possible injured-reserve move.
With White’s addition, Washington now has 15 players dealing with injuries or already on PUP/IR heading into Saturday’s second preseason game against the Lions.
The injury list spans multiple position groups and continues to complicate a camp in which the Commanders need bodies, reps, and continuity more than anything else.
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 🡒]