The Commanders’ 53-Man projection 2.0 — and a preseason reality check
Good showings by rookies Trey Amos and Josh Conerly Jr. overshadowed by "sloppy" mistakes and penalties in all three phases.
Don’t be afraid. This article, following the Washington Commanders’ dismal preseason opener, will spend as little time as possible on the actual game.
Preseason isn’t about looking like it’s Week 8 — especially when nearly every projected starter is in street clothes. Good thing, because the Commanders labored on offense, defense, and special teams during a 48–18 road loss to the New England Patriots.
“All three phases, I thought it was sloppy tonight,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “We had (13) penalties. ... You know how I feel about penalties, so that did not make me happy.”
Washington held out 30 players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and linebacker Bobby Wagner, while the Patriots played No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye and other starters. Let’s chalk up those missing pieces for the Commanders seeming a step behind all game and some penalties on offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury staying no huddle with backup players. New England — perhaps inspired by unveiling a Tom Brady statue outside Gillette Stadium — wrecked Washington from the jump.
The Commanders allowed a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by rookie TreVeyon Henderson on the opening play and trailed 20–0 before the game was 20 minutes old. Quinn cited solid play from first-round tackle Josh Conerly Jr., defensive tackle Johnny Newton and impressive rookie cornerback Trey Amos. Still, good thing that grades include Wednesday’s joint practice..
“As much as I liked things from the practice,” Quinn said, “there are some things I really disliked from tonight’s performance. … (GM) Adam (Peters) and I have plenty of tape to go watch.”
Fights, flashes, and WR frustrations: What stood out in Commanders-Patriots joint practice
FOXBORO, Mass. — The Washington Commanders arrived at Gillette Stadium for a joint practice with the New England Patriots, setting the stage for Friday’s preseason opener. For the first time all summer, Washington’s offense and defense got to bang into players wearing different helmets. For the players? A refreshing shift from weeks of hitting teammates.
Their assessments from this week, preseason games against Cincinnati (Aug. 18) and Baltimore, a joint practice with the Ravens and the rest of camp will shape Washington’s initial 53. Quinn and Peters have until Aug. 26, but my self-imposed deadline is now.
Here’s the Commanders’ 53-player projection 2.0 — and how Friday night’s mess nudged the decisions. Final snap counts land in the morning. Quinn will update injuries before Sunday’s practice in Ashburn.
Quarterbacks (2)
Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota
Others: Josh Johnson, Sam Hartman
Changes: None
“I think it’s been up and down,” Kingsbury said of Hartman’s camp on Monday. “He has all the ability — smart, good footwork, solid arm. Just a couple plays — got to take better care of the football.”
Postgame, Kingsbury wasn’t talking, but the script still fit: 9-for-19, 64 yards, one INT. Hartman’s last drive looked the part, capped by a Matt Gay 37-yarder for Washington’s first points. A 49-yard miss earlier kept him from leading two scoring drives. Accuracy remains shaky, and at 26, the upside isn’t enough to offset the inconsistency.
Sidebar: The offense immediately looked functional when Johnson, 39, entered in the second quarter, leading a TD drive. The ultimate journeyman is still a long shot unless Mariota’s lower leg strain lingers — but he’s QB3 if needed.
Running Backs (4)
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kazmeir Allen
Others: Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Demetric Felton
Changes: Allen in
Bill Croskey-Merritt didn’t disappoint. Final line: 7 carries, 24 yards; one catch for 8 yards. But the tape shows his trademark one-cut bursts, even in tight space. A 16-yard catch-and-run was wiped by penalty.
Quinn: “I like the skills we’re seeing from Bill… He makes plays, he’s got quickness. I loved the ball security he had tonight.”
The seventh-round rookie also drew a false start flag and a trip to the blue tent — JCM told reporters he was cleared after being checked for a shoulder injury — but didn’t look fazed in his first game action in nearly a year.
Sidebar: Not keeping McNichols (2-yard TD run) is tough. Five RBs is a stretch, but Allen’s return juice and gadget potential give him the tiebreaker. That’s the romantic in me.
Kliff Kingsbury vanished again — but stayed for Jayden Daniels
ASHBURN, Va. -- Kliff Kingsbury famously booked a one-way ticket to Thailand after getting fired by the Cardinals in 2022. The recent offseason getaway? Still a mystery.
Wide Receivers (6)
Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, TBD mystery man,
Others: Michael Gallup, K.J. Osborn, Chris Moore, Mike Strachan, Ja'Corey Brooks, Jacoby Jones, Tae Martin, Braylon Saunders
Changes: Mystery man in
I told you the non-McLaurin/Samuel/Brown/Lane group was shaky.
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