Dan Quinn Explains Addition of Steve Wilks to Commanders Staff

After a season of flashes and letdowns, the Washington Commanders will look to put a complete defensive game together when they take on a Philadelphia Eagles' offense that could be without a handful of pieces.

Running back Saquon Barkley joined wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks on the sidelines during Philadelphia's practice on Wednesday, adding a layer of questions for an offense that will be led by quarterback Tanner McKee for the second straight week.

It gives a Commanders' defense that ranked among the NFL's worst ahead of the bye week a chance to reset -- and potentially build momentum in the first game back. Yet Sunday night will also mark the second time the defensive staff will enter gameday with additional gameplan prep after reports broke over the bye week that longtime NFL coach Steve Wilks is joining the organization.

Though the initial expectation was Wilks will not expected to be with the team on gameday, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 reported that will change on Sunday night with the veteran coach expected on the sidelines. Wilks joined the Commanders as a part-time assistant through the week where he assists with the defensive game planning under defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Wilks officially began working with the team ahead of the week six primetime loss against the San Francisco 49ers, though it was a move that was in the works.

Head coach Dan Quinn reiterated the idea of bringing Wilks on board was on the table as early as training camp, while reporting pointed to an agreement already in place by the start of the regular season. Quinn also noted Wilks' chance to be with the coaching staff to gameplan at the start of the week proved to be "the easiest fit as there could be" through the transition.

General manager Adam Peters also previously pointed to his experience working with Wilks dating back to their time in San Francisco when Wilks served as defensive coordinator, adding a layer of familiarity to make the move a reality.

Yet the arrival of Wilks to assist with the defense also led to questions surrounding whether a similar move should have been made for David Blough, another coordinator in the midst of his first season in the role. Yet Quinn pointed to the presence of pass game coordinator David Raih as an integral part of Blough's support before adding he has been "pleased" with what has transpired through the first six games.

Whether that proves to be true coming out of the bye week is what will dictate the fate of the season with the Commanders entering a must-win opportunity against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.