Uncertainty at the backside of the depth chart created alternatives for younger gamers and troublesome selections for the coaches. Following the Commanders’ third preseason sport, Rivera mentioned about 4 to seven roster spots have been accessible. But an Eleventh-hour tragedy pressured Washington to rethink all of it.
Rookie operating again Brian Robinson Jr. was shot twice Aug. 28 throughout an tried armed theft, and the crew positioned him on the non-football damage listing 4 days later, requiring him to overlook at the least 4 video games, if no more.
Additionally, beginning security Kam Curl is coping with a thumb damage, based on an individual with data of the state of affairs. The Commanders don’t have to supply an damage report till Wednesday, and Curl stays on the energetic roster.
So after setting one model of their 53-man roster Aug. 30, the Commanders tweaked and tweaked some extra to provide you with a bunch that gives depth and suits the scheme throughout the board.
Quarterback (3): Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
For the first time in years, the Commanders have identified their beginning quarterback and his backups since early in the offseason. They traded for Wentz in March, and a month later, they drafted Howell. Rivera has discovered the exhausting method that having three quarterbacks is crucial.
Wentz has been traded twice in as a few years, elevating questions on his slot in Washington, however he’s a transparent improve. The crew wished an even bigger quarterback who can see over the rush and sling the ball downfield. And although the Commanders could not view Heinicke as a full-time starter, he has expertise as one and gives a security web. And Howell? His play in the preseason supplied loads of intrigue.
Wide receiver (6): Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson, Cam Sims, Dax Milne, Dyami Brown
McLaurin is again on a three-year contract extension; Samuel is wholesome after coping with groin and hamstring points final season; and Dotson, a first-round draft decide, impressed along with his catching capacity and polished routes in the preseason. But the drop is steep after these three.
Sims provides Washington an even bigger physique and is sweet for an enormous play once in a while. Milne returns having considerably improved as a pass-catcher and can function the Commanders’ returner, however his reps and reliability are unsure. Brown may be an explosive possibility on deep passes, however his drops make him a possible legal responsibility.
Offensive line (9): Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier, Trai Turner, Sam Cosmi, Wes Schweitzer, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Chris Paul
Rivera mentioned all through camp and the preseason that it was vital for his crew to really feel assured in at the least 10 offensive linemen. The Commanders have been ravaged by accidents up entrance final 12 months and relied closely on their depth to make it by means of. But then they stored 9 linemen to start out the season, largely as a result of they felt their expertise at tight finish made it too troublesome to half with a few of these gamers.
After swapping out guards to usher in Norwell and Turner in the offseason, and after coping with quite a few accidents in camp, Washington has a bunch of veterans with expertise in the offense. The line might broaden to 10, if no more, as the roster will get shuffled.
Tight finish (4): Logan Thomas, John Bates, Cole Turner, Armani Rogers
No group has been hit more durable by accidents lately than Washington’s tight ends. This 12 months, Rivera stored 4 — and rookie Curtis Hodges, a fifth, begins the 12 months on injured reserve — due to their expertise, not essentially for insurance coverage.
Thomas is working his method again after lacking 11 video games final 12 months. Bates, Washington’s finest blocking tight finish, is getting back from a calf damage and will really feel extra snug after a 12 months in the offense. Turner, a fifth-round decide, has the dimension and catch radius to play a significant position if he stays wholesome. And Rogers, an undrafted rookie, could possibly be Thomas 2.0. The former school quarterback transformed to tight finish and shortly acclimated to the new place to earn a roster spot. He might produce instantly: Since 2017, Wentz has focused his tight ends the second most of any NFL quarterback.
Running again (3): Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic, Jonathan Williams
What was as soon as the Commanders’ most strong place is now the most in flux. Robinson, their promising third-round rookie, is on the non-football damage listing for at the least the first 4 video games after he was shot twice, in his knee and his hip space.
The Commanders mentioned they won’t rush Robinson again — “We want to make sure he’s in a very good place, both physically and mentally,” Rivera mentioned — so to assist fill the void, the Commanders stored Williams, who’s most akin to Robinson in dimension and operating type. He additionally has a talent set that enhances these of Gibson, a strong again with pass-catching capacity, and McKissic, one other transformed receiver who has turn into the Commanders’ versatile third-down ace.
Defensive line (9): Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, Phidarian Mathis, Efe Obada, Shaka Toney, Daniel Wise
The line remains to be the crux of this crew. Its spectacular exhibiting in 2020 pale final season, and this 12 months it is going to open with out star finish Chase Young. He’s on the bodily unable to carry out listing as he continues to rehab his torn ACL and can miss at the least 4 video games (perhaps extra).
Smith-Williams can be Young’s main alternative, however Washington is anticipated to include extra five-man fronts, making its depth, particularly inside, paramount. Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis, backup tackles who might step up on a second’s discover, are gone, and the prime reserves inside now are Mathis, a second-round decide, and Obada, who signed in March.
Linebacker (5): Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, Jon Bostic, David Mayo, Milo Eifler
It was a shock that the Commanders stored 5. It was maybe an even bigger shock that they introduced again Bostic, a 31-year-old who spent three seasons with Washington however suffered a pectoral muscle damage in 2021 and left as a free agent. (He signed with New Orleans however then acquired minimize, permitting Washington so as to add him through waivers.) Bostic has expertise in the system and is understood for his management. His mentorship might assist the growth of Davis, who will shift to the exterior as an alternative of making an attempt his hand at center linebacker once more.
Holcomb, primarily the quarterback of the protection, is the chief of the group, and Eifler earned his spot after beating out Khaleke Hudson, amongst others, throughout camp. But Washington’s use of its linebackers bears watching: The Commanders are anticipated to include extra five-man fronts and have extra fluidity with their matchup zone on the again finish.
Cornerback (6): Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste, Christian Holmes, Tariq Castro-Fields, Rachad Wildgoose
Washington altered this group late, claiming Castro-Fields and Wildgoose off waivers to broaden the group to 6. Why so many? Washington’s base protection is not an antiquated 4-3. Now it’s a 4-2-5, and the crew will play most of its snaps in subpackages that includes an additional defensive again.
Many of Washington’s defensive backs can play two, if not three, positions in the secondary, giving coordinator Jack Del Rio extra flexibility. Wildgoose additionally has the place flex the crew covets, and Castro-Fields gives depth at exterior cornerback. But the starters are the core, and after a 12 months collectively, they’re assured their communication and expertise will propel them to a better degree.
Safety (5): Bobby McCain, Kam Curl, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves
Washington’s 2021 starters are again, and maybe that’s what’s most vital. But they will not be united at the begin of the season. Because of his thumb damage, Curl wore an arm sling whereas observing follow Aug. 31.
Once he’s wholesome, although, this group can be key to the protection’s success. McCain and Curl have a 12 months of expertise collectively — and a 12 months with beginning cornerbacks Fuller and Jackson — and have mentioned they really feel extra assured and comfy. Del Rio tweaked the system to tailor it to his personnel, and all through the preseason the group expressed optimism about its enchancment.
Way, the longest-tenured Washington participant, is again for Year 9, and if his 62-yard punt in the preseason was any indicator of the future, buckle up.
Slye jumped in midseason final 12 months after the Commanders cycled by means of two different kickers. He didn’t miss a subject purpose strive in his six video games, however in the preseason he missed an additional level and a 43-yarder.
Long snapper: Camaron Cheeseman
Special groups coordinator Nate Kaczor mentioned of Cheeseman, who’s coming into his second season: “He is certainly in a mental space of not being a rookie anymore. … We’re not perfect yet, but he’s definitely improved, and consistency is better. We thought it was pretty good last year being a rookie.”