The Washington Commanders haven’t exactly had a smooth offseason, with injuries and questions about the long-term plan adding up. But if there’s one thing that can brighten the mood in Washington, it’s watching the Philadelphia Eagles stumble into a problem of their own.
That problem is second-round pick Eli Stowers, who has had a rough enough camp that Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice said the No. 54 selection hasn’t "shown much to get excited about as a receiver or as a blocker" in camp. The news got even worse from there, with Stowers - who is currently nursing an injury - being labeled "unplayable" and likely to open the season as a gameday inactive.
For a Commanders team set to open the third season of the Jayden Daniels era in Week 1 against Philadelphia, that’s the kind of development that lands with a grin. Washington could be looking at an Eagles lineup that has Stowers on the sideline, hyped rookie Makai Lemon also dealing with an injury, and a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion.
Stowers was drafted where he was because of the athletic profile that jumps off the page: a 4.51 40-yard dash and a 45-inch vertical jump. The Vanderbilt product looked like the sort of matchup headache teams dream about at tight end, but the early camp reports suggest the fit may be messier than expected. He may not be quick enough laterally to hold up as a full-time wide receiver, and he may be too small to live as an in-line tight end.
That’s the sort of unforced error Washington can’t help but enjoy, especially with Philadelphia already carrying some broader concerns of its own. The source of those worries, as described here, includes AJ Brown in New England, Saquon Barkley having taken a step back from his past all-time great form, and another new voice calling plays in 2026.
Meanwhile, Washington’s own rookie class has offered more encouragement. The Commanders only had two picks in the first four rounds, but the early returns have been strong enough to notice. First-round linebacker Sonny Styles is showing he can be the centerpiece of the defense for the next 10 years, and wide receiver Antonio Williams is starting to flash and back up the idea that his final year at Clemson was an outlier.
If the Commanders’ path back toward the top of the division includes the Eagles making mistakes, then Stowers’ rough start fits the script perfectly. Right now, Howie Roseman’s second-round pick looks far more like JJ Arcega-Whiteside than Zach Ertz, and that’s the kind of outcome Washington will happily keep an eye on when the teams meet.
In Other News...
Commanders O-Line Struggles Just Reignited An Uncomfortable Center Debate
The Commanders offensive line was already under the microscope in joint practice with the Ravens, and the workout did not do much to quiet the concerns. Absences and inexperience showed up at key spots, leaving Washington searching for steadier answers up front as camp continues to sort out who can hold the middle together and who cannot.
Tyler Linderbaums name keeps hovering over that conversation, in part because of the long-running speculation that Washington had some sort of handshake understanding with him before he ultimately wound up with the Raiders on a record contract. None of that has been verified, and the Commanders have only confirmed the injuries and roster moves they have made, but the center debate has grown louder because the current alternatives have not done much to shut it down. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Could Have One Last Roster Surprise This Preseason
The final week of preseason often has a way of sorting out the edge cases on a roster, and Darius Rush is one of the Commanders players still trying to make his case. The former fifth-round cornerback has moved around since entering the league, and in Washington he has been mostly visible on special teams after signing a reserve/future contract.
Rush is not battling for a headline role so much as trying to carve out a niche that keeps him around when the roster decisions are made. His next chance comes in the preseason finale, where his play will be weighed with the rest of the group fighting for special teams jobs and one last possible surprise before the regular season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Roster Problem They Can't Ignore
The Commanders preseason has already started to expose a roster issue that could shape the rest of August. Injuries and uneven play up front have put both the offensive and defensive lines under a brighter spotlight than the coaching staff would prefer, and the absence of edge rushers Odafe Oweh and KLavon Chaisson has only made it harder to evaluate how the pass rush will hold up once the games count.
For Washington, the concern is not just depth, but whether the current group can generate enough pressure and protect the quarterback without help. With the regular season approaching, the front office is expected to keep scanning veteran free-agent options, a sign that the Commanders may not be done searching for answers along the line. [Read more 🡒]