The Commanders got a mixed Wednesday update as they started building toward Sunday night’s matchup with the Eagles, with Stefon Diggs sitting out practice but expected back on Thursday.
Head coach Dan Quinn said Diggs would be held out Wednesday, then made clear the receiver would be “a full go on Thursday.” The absence was not tied to the hand shot Diggs absorbed in the Week 6 loss to San Francisco.
Instead, it looked like a veteran rest day, with Diggs listed on the report for hand and hamstring issues and also tagged for veteran rest. Washington has used that kind of approach before to keep experienced players fresh for game day.
That matters now more than ever for Diggs, who becomes even more central with Terry McLaurin out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon.
There were other notable names on the report as well. Javon Kinlaw was also kept out of practice, and Quinn made it sound like a longshot that the defensive lineman will be available against Philadelphia.
Kinlaw was listed with a knee injury. Tight end John Bates missed practice because of a shoulder injury, another situation worth watching given his role.
The only player listed as limited was defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, who is dealing with groin and ankle injuries. Receiver Treylon Burks was limited as he works through a foot issue, while quarterback Marcus Mariota was a full participant with his knee injury.
DNP
TE John Bates - Didn’t practice with a new shoulder injury
WR Stefon Diggs - Vet rest day, also listed with previous hamstring injury, new hand injury from Week 6
DT Javon Kinlaw - Injured knee vs 49ers and unlikely to play Sunday
Limited
DL Charles Omenihu - Missed Week 5 with groin/ankle injuries
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The bigger question is whether Washington has enough at corner to match up cleanly with Philadelphias top weapons, especially when one more impact defender would change the look of the unit in an instant. A glance at the Eagles defensive backfield makes it easy to see why this conversation keeps coming up, because one young corner has already done enough in seven games to make a strong case as the kind of piece any secondary would love to add. [Read more 🡒]