The Washington Commanders left Week 1 with plenty to like from their rookie class, and Joshua Josephs made sure he belonged in that conversation too.
Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams grabbed most of the attention in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and Tyler Owens also drew notice for his work on special teams. Josephs didn’t pile up the same buzz, but the fifth-round edge rusher still found a way to leave a mark in just 13 defensive snaps.
One snap in particular stood out. While the spotlight was on Styles powering through Eagles running back Saquon Barkley for his first career sack, Josephs was working on the edge against Lane Johnson. The Tennessee product surprised the veteran right tackle, drove a strong arm into him, and sent him to the turf with force.
Those are the kinds of plays that can disappear in the box score but jump off the tape. After the Commanders got back to the film, head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones almost certainly noticed.
Josephs’ role now gets more interesting with Dorance Armstrong Jr. back from his one-game suspension. Washington’s edge group already features Armstrong, big-money addition Odafe Oweh, and free-agent signing K'Lavon Chaisson, so the rookie sits behind a veteran trio for now. Even so, if he keeps bothering high-end tackles like Johnson, he’ll keep forcing his way into the picture.
This wasn’t a one-off burst, either. Josephs was one of the most impressive players in training camp, showing off the speed, length, and dynamism that made Washington take the shot on him. He carried that into the preseason and even scored a touchdown by getting to a loose ball against the Detroit Lions.
That’s been the theme so far: small wins stacking into something bigger. Nobody is asking Josephs to be a star right away, but the Commanders can use a rookie who makes the most of every rep and can also grow into a meaningful special-teams contributor.
The early signs are encouraging. If Josephs keeps building on these moments over the course of a 17-game season in his first year, he could end up looking like another draft steal for general manager Adam Peters.
There’s still plenty of football ahead, and bigger challenges are coming. Josephs remains behind Washington’s veteran pass-rush options, but he’s already done enough to suggest more opportunities could follow.
For now, the message is simple: Joshua Josephs belongs.
In Other News...
Stefon Diggs Faced A Big Commanders Test After Costly Mistake
Stefon Diggs gave Washington an unexpected lesson in how quickly a big play can turn into a costly one after his ill-advised touchdown celebration near the goalpost wiped out the chance for the Commanders to try a two-point conversion against the Eagles. For a team trying to stack wins and sharpen the little details, it was the kind of mistake that stands out immediately because it changes more than just the next snap.
Dan Quinn said Diggs later apologized privately to the team and promised to be more self-aware moving forward, and the veteran receiver also stepped up in the locker room to own it. The episode left the Commanders with a frustrating what-if, but it also showed how quickly accountability matters inside a team that expects its leaders to respond the right way when something goes sideways. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Raised The Stakes For Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil had a rough night against the Eagles, and it showed up in the biggest moments of Washingtons loss. The second-year corner was part of the breakdowns that helped tilt the game, and head coach Dan Quinn did not shy away from putting the spotlight on his focus and execution after the fact. For a player who had been building trust in a young secondary, it was the kind of public nudge that instantly raises the temperature.
Now the conversation is no longer just about one bad outing, but about what comes next if the lapses continue. Washington has options behind him, including veterans and other prospects who could force a change in the cornerback pecking order if Quinn and the staff decide the standard is not being met. For Sainristil, the margin for error just got a lot thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Adam Peters Must Answer
The Commanders cornerback group came out of Week 1 with more questions than answers, and it showed up in a loss that left Washington searching for help on the back end. With the defense under pressure early, the idea of adding another starting-caliber corner has started to make the rounds, and Pittsburghs Joey Porter Jr. has quickly become the name to watch.
Porter is still playing on his rookie deal and has yet to land an extension, which only adds to the trade buzz around him. Whether Adam Peters decides to push on a deal is another matter, since any move would have to balance the price in compensation with the long-term contract piece, but the Commanders clearly have a defensive issue that could force their hand. [Read more 🡒]