Javon Kinlaw’s knee issue has put the Washington Commanders back in a familiar spot: trying to piece together the defensive line while the depth chart gets thinner by the week.
Dan Quinn said Kinlaw won’t practice to open the week, and he added that the lineman is not moving along as quickly as the team had hoped. That’s the kind of update Washington did not want, especially with the front already stretched. The Commanders may decide to ride it out internally, but if Kinlaw is forced to miss time, they may need to look outside the building.
If Washington wants a veteran body who can step in without costing much, Larry Ogunjobi makes sense as a workout candidate for Adam Peters. The 2017 third-round pick out of Charlotte has had a productive run in the league.
He flashed big-time potential early with the Cleveland Browns, then continued that trajectory for a while after landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The wheels later came off a bit in the AFC North, and when the Buffalo Bills brought him in for 2025, the results were mostly modest.
He did have a few flashes, but he also served a six-game suspension, and his market value took a hit.
Ogunjobi has been searching for another opportunity since his contract expired. He even worked out with the San Francisco 49ers recently, though that didn’t lead to a deal. Nothing about a Washington tryout would be a sure bet, but if Kinlaw can’t go, it’s hard to argue against kicking the tires.
The reason is simple: the Commanders do not have much behind Kinlaw and Pro Bowl lineman Daron Payne. Ogunjobi has experience in 3-4 fronts as an end, he can hold up against the run, and his 27.5 career sacks show he can still create pressure when the chance is there.
Washington does have other names in the mix, but not many true fits. Deatrich Wise Jr. and Charles Omenihu are more versatile interior/edge options than pure answers in the middle.
Tim Settle Jr. could be moved around, though the better plan would be splitting nose reps with Shy Tuttle. Wise can set the edge against the run, but he’s a tweener.
Omenihu is, too, and he is also coming back from an injury of his own.
The Commanders have already dealt with plenty of injury trouble. Kinlaw has been one of their few bright spots this season after questions about what he could still be faded away.
Losing him would hurt. That’s why Ogunjobi stands out as a low-risk, high-reward stopgap who could help right away if he’s healthy enough to do it.
He’d likely take the chance to get back into the NFL, and if Washington believes he’s in good shape, it’s the kind of move worth exploring.
Still, this is the Commanders we’re talking about. A smart fallback plan does not guarantee a fix. But with Kinlaw’s status suddenly in doubt, Ogunjobi should at least be on speed dial.
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A recent loss only added to the unease, and the Commanders are now dealing with the kind of ripple effects that can change the tone around a locker room fast. For Quinn, the concerns are no longer just about results, but about how Washington is being managed through the most unforgiving part of the schedule, with every misstep inviting a fresh round of questions about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]