Javon Kinlaw’s early surge is giving the Commanders something to hang onto in a season that has already gone sideways fast.
Washington has dropped two straight, and the loss of quarterback Jayden Daniels to another dislocated elbow has only made the picture look worse. Even so, Kinlaw has been one of the few bright spots, flashing real impact in the first two games after arriving in Washington with plenty of expectation attached.
That momentum hit a snag in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, when Kinlaw came out with a shoulder injury. Head coach Dan Quinn said he’ll likely be limited in practice this week, and his status is uncertain for the matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.
The injury comes at the worst possible time for a player who has finally started to look comfortable in his new home. Kinlaw was active right away in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, helping the Commanders’ front seven make life difficult for Jalen Hurts. He followed that up against Dallas by getting into the sack column, taking down Dak Prescott in the second quarter.
That sack was his first of the season, but it wasn’t the only sign he was making an impact. Kinlaw has also been bringing pressure and helping against the run in defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ 3-4 scheme. He turned in an impressive goal-line stand against running back Javonte Williams, another moment that showed how disruptive he can be when things are clicking.
The Commanders are still waiting for that kind of consistency from some of the other pieces around him, including Daron Payne and Tim Settle Jr. Kinlaw, though, appears to be settling in after needing a season to adjust to his surroundings.
Washington invested heavily in him during the summer of 2025, with general manager Adam Peters opening his checkbook for a player he helped draft in the first round in 2020 while with the San Francisco 49ers. Peters clearly believes the seventh-year pro can deliver in the right setup, and the contract reflected that: three years, $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed.
For now, the hope is that the shoulder issue doesn’t linger. The sense is that it may be nothing more than a short-term setback, and when Kinlaw gets back, Washington will need him to keep building on the start he’s put together.
Because right now, he’s one of the rare Commanders players giving this season a little life.
In Other News...
Commanders Face A Tough Home Opener Without Jayden Daniels
Marcus Mariota will get the call at quarterback for Washington in Sundays Week 3 home game against Seattle, giving the Commanders a very different look as they try to open the home slate without Jayden Daniels. Daniels remains sidelined with a dislocated left elbow, and with no set return timeline yet, the team is still waiting on more clarity after he consults specialists.
Dan Quinn has already made the move official, and it points to an offense built more around quick passes than the dual-threat approach Daniels brings when he is healthy. For Washington, the challenge is not just replacing a starter, but reshaping the entire rhythm of the attack at a point in the season when every early game already carries extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face Growing Week 3 Concern Ahead Of Seahawks Game
The Commanders are heading into their Week 3 home game against the Seahawks with a running list of injury concerns, and the picture got a little murkier after several key players showed up on the practice report. Linebacker Frankie Luvu, tight end Chig Okonkwo, guard Sam Cosmi and safety Nick Cross are among the names dealing with injuries or illness, with the team trying to manage both availability and workload as the week moves along.
For Washington, the issue is not just who is on the field, but how many players can get enough practice time to be ready for Seattle. Several other Commanders are still working through various injuries and have been tagged as limited or full participants, leaving the team with more questions than answers as it tries to steady the lineup before Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Week 3 Just Got More Dangerous Without Jayden Daniels
The Commanders Week 3 trip to Seattle is shaping up as a tougher assignment than it already was, and the quarterback picture is a big reason why. Washington will be without Jayden Daniels after the dislocated elbow, while the Seahawks are working toward getting Sam Darnold back on the field after he dealt with a glute injury early in their season opener.
Seattle coach Macdonald said there is a chance Darnold could play against Washington, which would give the Seahawks a different look at the games most important spot. Even if the Commanders are preparing for a backup-level challenge, the possibility of facing Darnold instead of a replacement only adds to the uncertainty surrounding a matchup that already lost one of its biggest names. [Read more 🡒]