With Jeremy McNichols sidelined, the Washington Commanders have added a depth piece to the running back room
The Washington Commanders are adding depth to the running back room.
One day after working out for the team, John Keim of ESPN first reported that the Commanders are expected to sign free agent running back Craig Reynolds.
Reynolds, 30, arrives in Washington adding depth at the position given the news comes one day after head coach Dan Quinn said that veteran Jeremy McNichols is expected to be sidelined a few weeks due to a quad injury.
Reynolds will now look to serve as a boost in preseason and play spoiler in his second stint with the team. The former undrafted free agent first arrived in Washington as part of rookie minicamp in May 2019 before being waived ahead of the final round of roster cuts, leading him to spend the 2019 season on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad. After the spending the 2020 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad along with appearing in two games, Reynolds made a name for himself with the Detroit Lions as part of the rotation where he's totaled over 650 rushing yards and one touchdown in two starts and 55 appearances over the last five seasons.
The newest addition to the room now joins the unit two days after watching a pair of rookies lead the way as Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. combined for 160 yards and two touchdowns in Friday's preseason opening win. Reserve addition Jerome Ford registered four yards on one carry, while both Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White were among the over two dozen players who were held out at home.
Reynolds was one of eight players to work out for the Commanders on Sunday alongside defensive tackle McTelvin Agim, defensive tackle Evan Anderson, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, defensive end Jonathan Harris, running back Montrell Johnson, running back Blake Watson and running back Marcus Yarns.
The news also came as two Commanders inked elsewhere over the last 24 hours with undrafted free agent Rob McDaniel signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while edge rusher Von Miller returned home to sign with the Dallas Cowboys.
Though McDaniel never recorded a stat with the Commanders, Miller ended his lone season in Washington with a team-high nine sacks despite a second season never viewed to be likely. The future Hall of Fame edge rusher previously expressed interest in returning for a second season, but Washington put a premium on getting younger across its defense. Now, Washington will look to limit Miller's production when the two teams meet in Dallas in week two.
