The Washington Commanders got a rough update Tuesday, and it lands at exactly the wrong time.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was moved to injured reserve after his knee injury failed to improve, leaving Washington thinner up front just as the Los Angeles Rams come to town Sunday. That puts even more pressure on the Commanders’ staff to get this defense ready for a Rams offense that figures to lean hard on the ground game.
Through eight games, Los Angeles is averaging 5.8 yards per offensive play, good for ninth in the NFL. The run game has been efficient too, with the Rams already at 4.7 yards per carry, sixth-best in the league. They’ve piled up 1,004 rushing yards, the sixth-highest total at this point in the season.
That’s a problem for Washington, especially with Kinlaw now sidelined for at least four weeks and Daron Payne already out for the year. Neither player was known as a quick pass rusher, but both were the Commanders’ best answers against the run. Now the burden shifts to a defense that has already allowed the fifth-most first downs in the NFL this season, with 60.
Sean McVay is almost certain to attack that weakness. The Rams already have a back in Kyren Williams who leads the NFL in rushing success rate at 62.5%.
Williams tops Los Angeles with 548 rushing yards and is averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Behind him, Blake Corum has added 382 rushing yards at 5.2 yards per carry.
All of that points to more work for Shy Tuttle and Tim Settle inside, and more strain on edge defenders Charles Omenihu and Deatrich Wise. Both are coming off injuries, so a heavier workload could test how much they can handle.
There’s also the question of whether Jer’Zhan Newton gets a different look. Newton has been a disappointment in the 4-man front, getting pushed around in 2024 and 2025. But the Commanders could try him more on the outside in a 3-man front, which would also help give Omenihu and Wise a breather.
Washington may also turn again to some temporary help. Byron Cowart was elevated from the practice squad last week, and if the staff liked what it saw, he could be back in the mix Sunday. Ricky Barber is another practice squad option, and at 6-3, 295, he could also be elevated to help slow the Rams’ run game until Kinlaw returns.
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Peters has already shown a willingness to keep the roster fluid, and this is the kind of moment when that approach gets tested. The Commanders have multiple areas that could use help, which is why the deadline chatter has picked up around possible additions and the idea of moving a piece to fill a more pressing hole. Nothing is final yet, but the way Washington handled Sainristil in the most recent game has made the next move feel a lot more consequential. [Read more 🡒]