The Washington Commanders made an additional roster move on Tuesday morning with another notable outside linebacker among the inactives
One day after hosting another batch of free agents for workouts, the Washington Commanders are adding another to the defense while also announcing a notable cut.
The Commanders are reportedly signing outside linebacker Boogie Basham, adding more depth at a position that head coach Dan Quinn has worked through a handful of injuries. Basham became the first signing after inking safeties Joshuah Bledsoe and Quindell Johnson.
The move came after safeties Will Harris and Malik Spencer were both released, while outside linebacker Drake Jackson was placed on the reserve/injured list.
Harris, 30, marks the first notable cut for the Commanders after struggling both during the 2025 season into the preseason as the veteran was the safety on the field during Detroit QB Josh Dobbs' 50 yard touchdown run during Saturday's preseason loss.
Basham, a 6-foot-3, 274 pound linebacker originally from Roanoke, Va., arrives in Washington after suiting up for the nearby DC Defenders in the UFL during the 2026 season. Basham played an integral role on defense after tallying 24 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in his lone season in the league, giving him a chance to jumpstart his career.
After becoming a First Team All-ACC selection during his four seasons at Wake Forest, Basham kicked off his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills after becoming a second round pick during the 2021 NFL Draft. Basham tallied 37 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and pair of pass deflections during his two seasons with the team. He was then traded to the New York Giants ahead of the 2023 season where he tallied another 20 tackles, one TFL and one pass deflection over his two seasons with the organization. Basham then suited up with the Carolina Panthers during the 2025 season where he appeared in only three games, totaling four tackles during that span, before being released in early Nov.
The signings were made official shortly before head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that there is no definitive timeline on a return for outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, who is one of two injured outside linebackers on the roster. Both Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson are battling through minor injuries as both have been inactive for each of the first two preseason games, adding to the injury bug the Commanders find themselves working through in training camp.
Head coach Dan Quinn also pointed to uncertainty surrounding a return to play for cornerback Trey Amos, who like Nick Allegretti, has also missed the bulk of training camp due an ankle injury. Tight end Ben Sinnott is also inactive the rest of the week after battling through an oblique injury, adding to the injury woes that surfaced on Monday.
The Commanders are set to travel to Owings Mills on Wednesday to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a joint practice before the two teams meet on Friday night at M&T Bank in the preseason finale.
