The Washington Commanders have trimmed down to their initial 53 man roster while announcing injury updates on cornerback Trey Amos, running back Jeremy McNichols among others
With preseason officially over and after waves of roster cuts over the last 24 hours, the Washington Commanders have released its initial 53-man roster for the upcoming 2026 regular season.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey were among the fringe players who made the cut, finally answering the question about how many the Commanders would carry on the 53-man roster.
Kaliakmanis was among the players in the midst of a position battle through training camp as he and third-year quarterback Sam Hartman battled for the final spot, but it was Hartman who was waived hours before the roster was made official. Kaliakmanis completed 66.7% of his passes while throwing for 207 yards through three preseason games.
As for McCaffrey, he was one of two wide fringe receivers who were active in the final preseason game alongside veteran Van Jefferson but the third year receiver adds additional value as an alternate returner behind former Pro Bowl selection Jaylin Lane.
While all eyes are on how general manager Adam Peters upgrades the offensive line, undrafted free agent Tanoa Togiai made the 53 man roster to provide depth along the interior offensive line. Togiai becomes the third undrafted free agent to make the roster in as many seasons after linebacker Ale Kaho and safety Tyler Owens.
Yet the finalized roster came with a dose of more injury news as the team announced that both cornerback Trey Amos and running back Jeremy McNichols have been placed on the reserve/ injured list with designations to return. Both Amos and McNichols will now miss the first four games of the season as fans look for both to return when the Commanders host John Harbaugh and the New York Giants in week five.
While McNichols has been sidelined with a quad injury, Amos' absence elevates the need in a cornerback room that added Amik Robertson and Rasul Douglas, though the latest addition in Fabian Moreau has come to an end after he was among the players included in the roster cuts released by the team.
With Amos sidelined and Moreau waived, the Commanders will enter the season with just three cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster between Douglas, Robertson and Mike Sainristil, adding another wave of concern in the room. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' scheme is expected to put a premium on the safety room with Nick Cross one of five to make the initial team alongside Jeremy Reaves, Quan Martin, Percy Butler and Tyler Owens.
The team also announced that defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who has been sidelined for the entirety of training camp, will open the regular season on the PUP list. The wait continues for the veteran, who saw his first season in Washington cut short after suffering a season ending quad injury in the week two loss against the Green Bay Packers.
What additional moves general manager Adam Peters and the Commanders make following Sunday's roster reveal is the next question with a chance to now scour the available market to address the lingering need along the offensive line.
