With just one practice left before their Christmas Day showdown against the Cowboys, Dan Quinn addressed the media on Christmas Eve, offering a mix of roster updates, injury news, and leadership nods ahead of Week 17.
Team Captains Named
Quinn announced this week’s captains: running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., linebacker Frankie Luvu, and punter Tress Way. Way, a steady presence in the locker room and on the field, was recently named a Pro Bowl starter - the only Commander to earn that distinction this season. It’s a well-deserved honor for the veteran punter, whose consistency continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season.
Quarterback Carousel Continues
The Commanders will roll into Week 17 with Josh Johnson under center. Johnson, the well-traveled veteran, gets the nod after Marcus Mariota suffered a pair of setbacks - a laceration on his throwing hand that required stitches and a quad injury that will sideline him for the week. With Mariota unavailable, the team made a pair of quarterback moves to shore up depth.
First, they brought back a familiar face in Jeff Driskel, signing him off the Cardinals’ practice squad. Driskel was last year’s QB3 and knows the system well enough to step in on short notice.
Additionally, rookie Sam Hartman is being elevated to the 53-man roster as the emergency third quarterback. It’s a quick rise for the young signal-caller, who’ll now dress for the game in a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency role.
Injury Report: Key Starters Sidelined
The injury list heading into Christmas Day is far from short, and it includes some impact players.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne won’t suit up after a back issue that, according to Quinn, “didn’t turn the right way” this week. That’s a significant loss in the trenches against a Dallas offense that’s been humming lately.
On the offensive line, Laremy Tunsil is set to miss his second straight game due to an oblique injury. With the season winding down and his status still uncertain, there’s growing concern he could be shut down entirely. His absence leaves a sizable hole on the left side of the line and forces the team to continue leaning on its depth.
Special teams also take a hit, with linebacker Nick Bellore ruled out due to a concussion. Bellore’s impact on coverage units and his leadership in the third phase of the game will be missed.
Looking Ahead
As the Commanders prepare to host the Cowboys on Christmas Day, they’ll do so with a reshuffled quarterback room, a banged-up roster, and a few new faces stepping into key roles. It’s been that kind of season - one where depth has been tested and adaptability has become the norm.
But in typical Dan Quinn fashion, the focus remains on the next man up. Whether it’s Josh Johnson guiding the offense, Tress Way flipping field position, or young players like Hartman getting their shot, the Commanders are heading into the holiday matchup with resilience and a chance to play spoiler.
And in a rivalry game, especially one under the bright lights of Christmas, that’s more than enough to keep things interesting.