WR Treylon Burks is among the Washington Commanders with something to prove in the regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles
Only one game separates the Washington Commanders from an offseason filled with question marks both across the roster and on the coaching staff. But with the Philadelphia Eagles expected to rest several starters in the regular season finale and the Commanders entering Sunday's contest banged up - again - we take a look at three Commanders to watch:
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
This season, Croskey-Merritt, or Bill, has been the Commanders leading rusher with the loss of Austin Ekeler to a torn achilles and Jayden Daniels being out for most of the season as well. However, one part of his game this season that has been lacking is production in the passing game with only 13 targets for nine receptions and 68 receiving yards this season. Ekeler was the Commanders main passing down back when healthy, but since he went down early in the season, it was Jeremy McNichols that took over that role. Add in a clear role for Chris Rodriguez Jr. when healthy, 'Bill' hasn't always had his chances.
Sunday, he can get that once again. And with both Ekeler and McNichols on expiring contracts and possibly not back with the team in 2026, the Commanders could try Bill out more than usual on passing downs against a rested Eagles defense. It's clear that the seventh-round pick has a role in the room, but how big of a role will that materialize into?
TE Ben Sinnott
At the start of the season, Zach Ertz was the clear starting tight end and one of Jayden Daniels’ favorite targets. However, after a gruesome knee injury against the Vikings, Ertz was done for the year and had possibly played his last snap with the Commanders. Although he only has 11 targets on the season, since becoming the starting tight end, Sinnott has gradually gotten more and more looks in the passing game. Since Ertz went down, Sinnott has eight targets for six receptions and 78 receiving yards. With Ertz’s contract up after this season, the former second round pick will very likely look to have a larger role in the offense and can use week 18 to catapult himself as the number one tight end option in 2026.
WR Treylon Burks
On October 7th this season, the Titans waived the former first round pick off their injured reserve list. Burks only had 699 receiving yards and a touchdown through three seasons with the Titans. Never playing more than 11 games in a season, injuries have held Burks back massively since joining the league, but he's found a role in DC.
After clearing waivers, the Commanders signed Burks to their practice squad while star wide receiver Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel were both dealing with injuries. Since joining the active roster, Burks has 18 targets for eight receptions and 118 yards and a touchdown through just seven games. Against the Cowboys, Burks led the Commanders wide receivers in snap count with 40.
With one game left separating the Commanders from an offseason filled with qustions, one of those is at wide receiver with not much proven beyond Terry McLaurin, who will enter year two of his three year extension at 32 years old in 2026. Whether year two with Deebo Samuel comes to fruition remains to be seen with all eyes on his price tag. While figuring out who WR2 is, whether it be an in-house option or acquisition, is something that general manager Adam Peters will need to figure out. But can Burks capitalize on one last chance to carve out a role for next season? Sunday could tilt the scale with a chance for extensive reps like on Christmas Day.