The Commanders’ 24-22 loss in their regular season opener didn’t just leave them with a defeat - it left them with a few lineup questions heading into Sunday afternoon against the Cowboys. Some of Washington’s new additions showed enough to matter, while a few shaky moments made it fair to wonder whether a different mix could help.
That kind of thinking can go too far, of course. One bad game doesn’t mean every starter should be shoved aside, and the “backup quarterback theory” is always lurking in the background: the reserve looks appealing until he’s the one carrying the load. Different isn’t automatically better.
Still, Washington does have some options worth exploring, and a few players could see bigger roles against Dallas.
Rasul Douglas is the clearest name in that group. He played 17 defensive snaps at cornerback against the Eagles, while Mike Saintisril and Amik Robertson were on the field for all but one combined. Douglas was the third corner in that game, but there’s a case for moving him up to the No. 2 spot against the Cowboys.
His size is part of the appeal at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, and so is his comfort in zone coverage and his knack for forcing turnovers. That could matter against Dallas, which brings bigger targets in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
There’s also the issue with Sainristil, who gave up an explosive sideline play and an easy touchdown to Philadelphia. Both moments drew plenty of criticism, and neither is the kind of mistake Washington can afford to repeat. One possible answer would be starting Douglas and keeping Sainristil almost entirely in the slot, with the Commanders able to lean on a third safety if Sainristil falters again.
Antonio Williams belongs in the game plan too, and this one feels obvious. The third-round rookie posted four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on just 10 routes, then picked up rookie of the week honors for it. That’s the kind of production that earns more snaps, and Washington should have him working both outside and in the slot as a third receiver against Dallas.
Ben Sinnott should also get a bigger piece of the offense, even if that happens partly by necessity. Chig Okonkwo is out with a groin injury, which means John Bates will be the top tight end and remains Washington’s best blocking tight end. Sinnott still offers upside, and there’s a chance he can help both the passing game and the offense’s overall unpredictability.
As was noted before reading through the criticism of Sinnott, the idea here isn’t to overload him. It’s about giving him around 30 productive snaps and another 10 as an in-line route runner, then seeing what he can do.
On the defensive side, Quan Martin is a trickier call. Jeremy Reaves wasn’t outstanding against the Eagles, but Dan Quinn’s comments about Reaves’ communication and leadership make it sound like his role is safe for now.
Martin was not good last year, though he had a strong camp, and he could potentially find work in the slot or as a deep option next to Nick Cross. Even so, this is more of a backup plan than a clean solution.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Mike Sainristil Question They Cant Ignore
Mike Sainristil is already facing an early test of how the Commanders handle accountability under Dan Quinn. After Washingtons season-opening loss, Quinn publicly called out the young cornerbacks performance, and Sainristil responded by owning the mistakes and saying his focus is on getting better. For a defense that wants to establish a sharper edge, the issue is not just one rough outing, but how quickly the rookie can steady himself as the spotlight gets brighter.
Isaac Yiadoms arrival from the practice squad adds another layer to the conversation, because Washington now has more veteran depth in the secondary heading into its game against the Dallas Cowboys. The move does not settle the cornerback picture, but it does put a little more pressure on Sainristil to respond the right way. How Quinn and his staff sort out those snaps will be worth watching, especially this early in the season when every adjustment carries a little extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Dorance Armstrong Gives Commanders A Personal Edge Against Dallas
Dorance Armstrong Jr. is back in the Commanders lineup after serving a one-week suspension, and his return comes with a built-in layer of familiarity. After six seasons with the Cowboys, Armstrong now finds himself on the other side of one of the NFC Easts most familiar rivalries, joining Washington as it prepares for an upcoming meeting with Dallas. He is working his way back from an ACL injury and sliding into a reserve hybrid linebacker role in the Commanders' 3-4 defense.
Even with a limited workload possible as he adjusts to the scheme and the roster around him, Armstrong still carries obvious value in a game like this. Washington did not bring him in just for depth, and his presence against his former team adds a little more edge to a matchup that already has plenty of it. The Commanders will be watching how much he can handle, but they also know the timing of his return is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Defensive Depth Problem Before Dallas
With injuries thinning out the front seven, the Commanders had to dip into the practice squad for some immediate help ahead of Dallas. Washington signed defensive tackle Ricky Barber to the practice squad and elevated him right away for the matchup, a sign the team needs extra bodies up front as it tries to keep its defensive rotation intact.
Ale Kaho is coming up too, giving Washington another linebacker option while the group works through its health issues. Both moves are temporary, which keeps the roster flexible, but it also underscores how quickly the Commanders defensive depth has become a real concern heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]