The Washington Commanders will be short-handed again in Week 6, with Dan Quinn ruling out four players on Saturday ahead of the matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Before taking questions, Quinn laid out the list plainly: "I will give you four that we will rule out today,” Quinn said. "Those four will be Bill, Javontae, Charles and Marcus.” The players ruled out are running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste, defensive end Charles Omenihu and quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Quinn added, “Outside of those four, everyone is traveling."
That at least leaves the door open for several key players who sat out last week’s practices and the game against the New York Giants, including wide receiver Stefon Diggs and safeties Nick Cross, Percy Butler and Tyler Owens. Quinn said he still has time before making final decisions on their game status, noting, “I’ll have all the way until Monday this week to make decisions as far as playing (active) or not (inactive).
But you know, to get everybody back in and going was a big deal for us. And those four won’t make the trip.
So, expect some updates Monday."
One back to watch is Jeremy McNichols. Quinn didn’t commit to a return on Monday, but he sounded encouraged after what he’s seen this week, saying, “This is one of our most professional ball players on, off, what he can bring. So, as we get to Monday, he’s had a very good week, and we will decide from there.”
Croskey-Merritt’s absence stings after he turned in an 82-yard, 11-carry performance last week, highlighted by a 33-yard touchdown run. He left late because of a groin injury, and Quinn’s update confirmed it’s a re-injury to the same groin.
The running back picture has gotten thin quickly. Austin Ekeler also left early against the Giants with a chest injury, while Washington released Kaytron Allen two weeks ago, and the Dolphins claimed him. That means he is no longer available to return to the practice squad.
If Washington needs another body for Monday night, Craig Reynolds and Devin Neal are both available on the practice squad. McNichols, meanwhile, remains on injured reserve and could be nearing a return.
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Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones believes the answer is less about a wholesale overhaul and more about getting back to basics. His message centers on sound fundamentals, calmer play and trusting the process after halftime, which is exactly the kind of reset the Commanders need after watching leads and control fade against teams like the Giants and Colts. For a defense built to carry more weight, the challenge now is turning those first-half flashes into something sustainable. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders OC Zeroes In On One Costly Problem After Fast Start
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Still, Blough made clear there was plenty to clean up, and the focus landed quickly on the pre-snap mistakes that stalled what should have been a promising second-quarter scoring chance. For a team trying to build on a fast start, those kinds of penalties can turn a good possession into a wasted one, and the Commanders now have a familiar discipline issue sitting right in the middle of an offense that otherwise looked ready to hit another gear. [Read more 🡒]