The Commanders got a much-needed break from the early-week injury anxiety on Wednesday, and it came in the form of K’Lavon Chaisson stepping back onto the practice field.
Chaisson, who had been sidelined with a knee issue, returned for the final session before Washington gets a few days off. His work was limited, but just getting him back in action matters with Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles getting closer by the day.
That return gives Washington something it badly needed on the edge. Chaisson has been trending in the right direction, and if he can build on this week’s work, he should be in position to factor into the September 13 game at Lincoln Financial Field.
It also helps that Chaisson has plenty to prove. The 2020 first-round pick out of LSU signed a one-year deal with Washington this offseason after betting on himself when a more secure path seemed available with the New Orleans Saints. Before the injury, he had already made a strong enough impression to suggest another payday could be in play.
The timing is especially important because Odafe Oweh is out with a calf problem. Dan Quinn said Oweh would return to practice next week, but there are still hurdles to clear before Week 1, and it may come down to a game-time decision.
For now, Chaisson looks like the edge rusher most clearly on track. Washington wanted to see where he stood before the break, and if he comes back from it a little stronger, the team can feel better about expanding his workload next week.
Depending on Oweh’s status, Chaisson could even wind up as the primary edge threat.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. is still getting back to full health, though he should still have a significant role in the rotation. Rookie Joshua Josephs, a fifth-round pick, flashed during the summer, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste did enough to merit a roster spot.
Washington will need plenty more than one healthy pass rusher to really bother Philadelphia’s offensive line, but Chaisson’s return changes the mood around the unit in a hurry. For a player who once seemed like he might be out of the league, the chance to get rolling now carries real weight.
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Commanders Quietly Added A Tackle Who Could Solve A Real Depth Concern
The Commanders roster cleanup after cutdown day included a little bit of housekeeping and a little bit of insurance, with Washington bringing back 12 players it had previously waived or released while also adding five outside players to the 53-man roster and practice squad mix. Among the new faces was veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom, but the more intriguing addition for Washingtons depth chart may be offensive tackle Esa Pole, a name with a recent NFL trail and a clear path to matter if the line gets tested.
Pole arrived with a bit of experience already in his pocket, having spent time with the Chiefs and Jets before making his NFL debut last season. He got four starts at left tackle before being waived, and Washingtons decision to bring him in now points to how much the team values having another viable option at a spot where depth can disappear quickly. The Commanders are still sorting out the final shape of that room, and Pole gives them a player whose role could grow faster than most practice squad additions. [Read more 🡒]
Former Commanders Contributor Is Latest Reminder Of Washingtons Cornerback Turnover
Noah Igbinoghenes path is a useful snapshot of how much the Commanders have churned through their cornerback room in recent seasons. He appeared in 32 games over two years in Washington before reaching free agency, and since then his route has taken him from a one-year deal with the Seahawks in March 2025 to a release during final cuts and then another one-year contract, this time with Cleveland.
For Washington, the bigger story is the revolving door behind him. The team has continued to make defensive backfield signings and practice squad additions this offseason, another sign that the cornerback spot remains a moving target as the Commanders try to settle on a long-term mix. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Aiyuk Keeps Sending A Message Washington No Longer Needs
Brandon Aiyuk keeps putting Washington gear in front of his followers, a steady stream of social posts that has made it clear where his eyes have been aimed. The receiver remains under contract with the San Francisco 49ers, but the message from his corner has been hard to miss for a Commanders fan base that watched the offseason at receiver unfold with plenty of curiosity.
Washington, though, appears to have moved on long ago. The team never showed much interest in making Aiyuk a target, with the general manager making it clear Stefon Diggs had been the preferred veteran option from the start. Aiyuk has not applied for reinstatement, and with his NFL future still uncertain, the social media hints are starting to feel more like background noise than a path back to D.C. [Read more 🡒]