The Washington Commanders will see some key pieces inch their way back onto the field this week as head coach Dan Quinn shared the latest injury news
Following the first loss of preseason, the Washington Commanders opted to pivot on Monday after adding a practice instead of just the scheduled walkthrough after head coach Dan Quinn admitted he didn't "love all I saw from an identity standpoint."
An understandable takeaway given the concerns on offense, especially to start the game with the bulk of the starters on the field, yet who the Commanders get back on the field was the next question.
The good news is two notable pieces are set to return on Monday after Quinn noted that defensive tackle Tim Settle is set to return to upgrade a position that is without Daron Payne short-term and Johnny Newton long-term. Quinn also confirmed that defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who was one of three players to be placed on PUP to begin training camp, is "getting closer" to being activated.
Running back Rachaad White is also set to participate in individual drills on Monday after tweaking his hamstring in the joint practice against the Miami Dolphins, but the unit will still be missing another key piece. Quinn revealed that Bill Croskey-Merritt will not suit up in either Wednesday's joint practice or Friday's preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens as he battles a lower body injury
as he works off on the side field.
Though a timeline to return has yet to materialize, Quinn noted that center Nick Allegretti is "not there yet" with his calf injury sidelining him for the vast majority of training camp with center.
After getting reps at both guard and center vs. Detroit, rookie Matt Gulbin will "get more snaps" exclusively at center this week as he and Julian Good-Jones, who was spotted taking snaps with Jayden Daniels to open Monday's practice, are currently rounding out the center room.
Elsewhere, the Commanders made one roster move official on Sunday after running back Jerome Ford has been released with an injury settlement, per the transaction wire. Ford was placed on the reserve/injured list ahead of last Tuesday's practice after already facing an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.
After just 12 yards on eight carries as a rookie, Ford saw an opportunity break open after Nick Chubb suffered a season ending injury in week two of the 2023 season, allowing Ford to post a career-best 813 yards on 204 carries with four touchdowns in 12 starts and 17 appearances, the lone season he played every game. Ford then ran for over 630 rushing yards on 128 carries and three touchdowns over his last two seasons with the Browns turning to Quinshon Judkins once available in 2025, reducing his role the rest of the way. Ford faced an uphill battle for a spot on the 53-man roster as he joined Jeremy McNichols among the inactives this month.
