The Commanders are running into the kind of week every NFL coach dreads: the game plan keeps getting squeezed by injuries, and the answers have to come fast.
Washington had already lost WR1 Terry McLaurin two weeks ago. Then this week, WR Treylon Burks was unable to practice.
On Thursday, the hits kept coming when WR Dyami Brown went down with a calf injury. By Friday, head coach Dan Quinn was talking about contingency plans and the need to keep adjusting on the fly.
“You want to make sure the contingency plans are there,” expressed Quinn. “How do you adapt and adjust?
One thing we do know is the plan often has to change. That’s no different than if it happens in game.
This is what we would do if this happens.”
That leaves Quinn and offensive coordinator David Blough making late-week changes as Washington gets ready for Sunday’s matchup with the Rams. Luke McCaffrey and Van Jefferson are now seeing more work in practice, even though neither has caught a pass through seven games. Both have NFL experience, but not in Blough’s offense, which makes the evaluation process a little trickier.
“You’re constantly kind of tweaking that. There are times at practice we do that intentionally.
Hey, let’s see where this player is, where their knowledge is. Not every play is featured for this specific player.
So we do try to stay connected to that.”
There’s also the possibility of leaning more heavily on tight ends, at least in theory, if the Commanders want to help the run game. But that comes with its own issue, since Chig Okonkwo, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff are not said to be good blockers in the run game.
“We do sometimes have different personnel groups, but they do play the same position. And so, that is how we adjust to that.”
Another option would be elevating WR Jaden Bradley for the game, which would be his first appearance in an NFL regular-season contest.
In Other News...
Myles Garrett Puts Rams Defensive Momentum To The Test Sunday
Brandon Colemans latest test comes with the kind of edge rush challenge that can change a game plan before it even settles in. The Commanders have leaned on the rookie tackle in a spot where every snap matters, and now he gets a look at Myles Garrett, whose presence alone forces offenses to account for the edge differently. For Washington, this is less about one isolated matchup than about whether Coleman can hold up when the pressure is coming from the leagues most disruptive pass rushers.
The timing makes it even more interesting because the Commanders are trying to keep their offensive rhythm intact while juggling the usual Week 9 injury and strategy questions. Colemans performance against Garrett could shape how much Washington can trust its protection on the perimeter, and that has obvious ripple effects for the rest of the offense. If the tackle can steady the edge, it gives the Commanders a chance to stay on schedule, but if not, Sunday could turn into a long afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Aiyuk May Have Cost Himself A Real Shot With Washington
Brandon Aiyuks NFL future remains unsettled after he applied for reinstatement and met with the 49ers, who have already signaled they do not plan to bring him back. For Washington, the interest had at least been easy enough to understand. Aiyuk has wanted to play for the Commanders, and on paper a receiver of his talent would fit any team trying to keep pace in a loaded NFC.
The problem is that his path to Washington appears to have been damaged long before this latest round of uncertainty. Insider Jeremy Fowler said a past social media incident seriously hurt Aiyuks chances with the Commanders, and the relationship now looks difficult to repair. With his next landing spot still unclear, Washington may be one of the teams that once made sense but no longer does. [Read more 🡒]
Rachaad White Has A Chance To Change Washingtons Trade Deadline Plans
Rachaad White has suddenly become a key figure in Washingtons plans at running back, and the timing matters with Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve and the NFL trade deadline approaching. White has handled the lead role for the Commanders, and while his overall production has been limited, there have been signs lately that he can give the offense something steadier than it has had for much of the season.
The most encouraging stretch came in recent games, including a strong showing against the Los Angeles Rams, which gave Washington at least a little reason to pause before looking outside the roster. The Commanders are still evaluating whether the current group can do enough to keep the backfield from becoming a deadline priority, and Whites next few outings could go a long way toward shaping whether the front office feels pressure to add help. [Read more 🡒]