| News |
|---|
|
Luke McCaffrey Luke McCaffrey Looking better in Year 2
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 2:29 PM
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Sunday that McCaffrey has made a "jump" from Year 1 to Year 2, Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire reports.
Analysis: A 2024 third-round pick, McCaffrey got playing time in the slot early in his rookie season, but he didn't do much with the snaps and then saw his role decrease later in the year. He's back to compete for the No. 3 receiver role, this time up against Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane, Michael Gallup and K.J. Osborn. There's an opportunity for all of them to get extra first-team snaps this summer while Terry McLaurin (ankle/contract) remains unavailable to practice. |
|
Austin Ekeler Austin Ekeler May return kicks again
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 2:18 PM
Ekeler and Deebo Samuel have been returning kickoffs in practice, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Analysis: The new touchback rules last season led to 32.8 percent of kicks being returned, up from 21.8 percent the year before. A second increase is coming -- potentially a much bigger one -- after another rule change this offseason to move touchbacks out to the 35-yard line. Last year, Ekeler handled 19 of Washington's 37 kick returns, averaging 31.3 yards to finish with the third most kick return yardage in the league (594). It's a nice little boost in leagues that count those yards, but in most formats the increased injury risk probably isn't worth a six-point spike every once in a great while, especially if return work is also costing the player a few snaps on offense. That'll likely be Ekeler's reality this season, although he's already off the field plenty in his committee role alongside Brian Robinson in Washington's backfield. Meanwhile, reports from the first week of Washington training camp mention rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt making his own bid for a role. |
|
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Jacory Croskey-Merritt Strong start at camp
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 2:04 PM
Croskey-Merritt has made a huge impression at the first week of training camp, according to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan.
Analysis: When Paulsen asked six other Washington beat reporters to name the player that has stood out most at training camp, four of them named Croskey-Merritt immediately. He was merely a seventh-round pick this spring after eligibility issues limited him to one game at Arizona last year, but it sounds like Croskey-Merritt is already making a strong bid for the Week 1 roster, and possibly even for some touches early in the season. The Commanders have Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler atop their backfield depth chart, followed by Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols and others battling for depth roles. The first task for Croskey-Merritt this August is to get his foot in the door as the No. 3 running back. |
|
Jaylin Lane Jaylin Lane Getting some first-team work
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 1:49 PM
Lane has taken some snaps with the first-team offense during training camp, Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire reports.
Analysis: Lane was nearly the star of Sunday's practice, making an incredible catch over two defenders in the corner of the end zone on a pass from QB Jayden Daniels during an end-of-game drill. The rookie only got one foot in, but that didn't stop Daniels and other teammates from celebrating. In any case, Lane is unlikely to open his career as a starter, but his status as a fourth-round pick guarantees him a roster spot, and it's a good sign he's already mixing in with the first-team offense. Those opportunities to run with the starters may decline once Terry McLaurin (ankle / contract) is available and the season draws nearer. Lane is also a candidate for punt returns, given that he has 4.34 speed and scored twice on special teams during his college career. |
|
Deebo Samuel Deebo Samuel Moving all around the formation
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 1:38 PM
Samuel's alignments on offense have been varied during training camp, and he's also been getting work on kickoff returns, ESPN.com's John Keim reports.
Analysis: With Terry McLaurin (ankle / contract) still not practicing, Samuel seems to be the top weapon for QB Jayden Daniels. Washington beat reporters have repeatedly mentioned Samuel being on the receiving end of Daniels' passes, although Keim notes that the Commanders' cornerbacks have more than held their own, often preventing the wideouts from creating separation. That's an area where Samuel struggled with the 49ers last year, but he's reportedly rejuvenated with his new team ahead of his age-29 season. Even if separation remains a weak point, the Commanders should be able to figure out a role that works more to Samuel's strengths and emphasizes his tenacity with the ball in his hands. |
|
Michael Gallup Michael Gallup Healthy for camp
Mon, Jul 28, 2025, 10:47 AM
Gallup (hamstring) is participating in training camp, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Gallup is healthy after missing June minicamp with a hamstring strain. He retired last summer on the eve of training camp with Las Vegas, but he's giving it another go one year later at age 29. Gallup will perhaps hope to compete with Noah Brown and others for the No. 3 WR role, although simply making the Week 1 roster would be a good outcome for him. |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Practicing without setbacks
Mon, Jul 28, 2025, 10:44 AM
Brown (undisclosed) is practicing at training camp, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Analysis: Brown was eased into training camp after suffering an unspecified injury at June minicamp. He's likely competing with Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and others for the No. 3 WR job, although there are additional first-team reps to go around while Terry McLaurin (ankle/contract) remains absent from practice. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Ends holdout but has ankle injury
Sun, Jul 27, 2025, 8:44 AM
McLaurin (ankle) was removed from the reserve/did not report list and placed on the active/PUP list Sunday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: McLaurin has ended his contract holdout despite failing to secure a new deal from the Commanders. He will report after having missed four days of training camp, though McLaurin won't immediately be ready to take the practice field due to an ankle injury. The star wide receiver is still seeking a new contract as he heads into the final season of a three-year, $68 million extension. |
|
Jayden Daniels Jayden Daniels Not worried about McLaurin holdout
Wed, Jul 23, 2025, 1:49 PM
Daniels isn't worried about Terry McLaurin's contract holdout impacting the duo's rapport, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McLaurin is frustrated with negotiations but ultimately still wants an extension in Washington rather than a trade. Daniels, meanwhile, seems to be getting along fine in practice without his top wide receiver -- his first pass of 11-on-11s at training camp was a deep completion to new weapon Deebo Samuel. The Commanders also traded for LT Laremy Tunsil this offseason, and then drafted RT Josh Conerly in the first round, but their interior line figures to be temporarily weakened after standout guard Sam Cosmi suffered an ACL tear during the playoffs. It's still a good situation for Daniels overall, especially if/when McLaurin gets back on the field. |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Easing into camp
Wed, Jul 23, 2025, 9:45 AM
Brown (undisclosed) avoided the PUP list for the start of training camp but may not be a full participant early on, according to independent NFL writer Ben Standig.
Analysis: Brown was carted off the field June 11 at a minicamp practice. He was scheduled for an MRI, but the Commanders went on summer break right after and never provided any update on the nature or extent of Brown's injury. It sounds like he's on track for Week 1, with time to make his case this summer for the No. 3 WR role behind Terry McLaurin (who is holding out for a new contract) and Deebo Samuel. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Holdout becomes official
Wed, Jul 23, 2025, 8:31 AM
The Commanders placed McLaurin on the reserve/did not report list Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McLaurin declined to report Tuesday for the start of training camp, one week after saying it would be "kind of hard to see how I step on the field" without progress on a new contract. He's in the final season of a three-year, $68 million extension, after scoring 13 TDs in the 2024 regular season and three more in the playoffs. McLaurin will accrue $50,000 in non-rescindable fines for every day of training camp he misses during the contract dispute. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Not present for camp
Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 3:11 PM
McLaurin didn't report for Commanders training camp Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Washington required its veterans to report to Ashburn, Va. on Tuesday, but McLaurin was the only one not present for conditioning tests. He alluded to not being on the field during a media session after filming a commercial for a local car dealership last Tuesday due to his desire for a contract extension, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. McLaurin has an average annual value of $23.2 million on his current contract, which ranks 17th among NFL WRs. He's coming off a 2024 campaign in which he notched a career-high 13 touchdown catches in 17 regular-season games and also has strung together five straight seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Discusses contract situation
Tue, Jul 15, 2025, 2:43 PM
McLaurin touched on the situation surrounding his current contract Tuesday, stating "without any progression discussions (with the Commanders), it's kind of hard to see how I step on the field," John Keim of ESPN.com reports. "I've been pretty frustrated, not gonna lie," McLaurin added. "Everything that has transpired has been pretty disappointing. I want to continue my career here."
Analysis: McLaurin skipped Washington's mandatory minicamp in mid-June after previously being in attendance for the early stages of the offseason program. Since then, he indicated that his reps and the team haven't had any new talks to address the fact that he's set to play out the final year of the three-year extension that he signed in June 2022, which has an average annual value of $23.2 million. After the Jets' Garrett Wilson inked an extension of his own Monday, McLaurin currently ranks 17th among NFL WRs in terms of AAV. McLaurin has put together five consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns and recorded a career-best 13 touchdown catches in 17 regular-season games while working with standout rookie QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, but the veteran wideout also turns 30 years old in September, so it's unclear how a new deal may be structured, assuming the two sides resume their back-and-forth. Commanders veterans report to training camp next Tuesday, July 22, at which point McLaurin's stance could become more solidified. |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Set for MRI
Thu, Jun 12, 2025, 11:38 AM
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Brown (undisclosed) will undergo an MRI, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Quinn did not specify the nature of Brown's issue, but the veteran wideout appeared to go down via a non-contact injury while making a catch on the ground at practice Wednesday. He was able to walk to the sideline under his own strength but then had to be carted into the building. If the MRI reveals a significant injury for Brown, Washington will have to count on one of Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Michael Gallup (hamstring), K.J. Osborn or Chris Moore to step up as the No. 3 receiver behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. |
|
Ben Sinnott Ben Sinnott Impressive in offseason practices
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 2:21 PM
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Sinnott is one of the young players who has stood out during the offseason program, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Selected 53rd overall last spring after a standout combine performance, Sinnott was merely Washington's No. 3 TE throughout his rookie season, catching five passes on 311 offensive snaps. He has all the raw physical tools to become a quality NFL starter, but there's no assurance the opportunity comes along this year, as the Commanders re-signed both Zach Ertz and John Bates during the offseason. It at least sounds like Sinnott is making progress in Year 2 and earning more confidence from his coaches. |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Carted off at practice Wednesday
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 12:59 PM
Brown (undisclosed) was carted off during Wednesday's minicamp session, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Brown made a catch on the ground during 7-on-7 drills, per Ben Standig of The Athletic, then slowly walked to the sideline under his own power before being carted into the building. Thursday will be the final day of Washington's mandatory minicamp, so an update on the nature and severity of Brown's injury should arrive then at the latest. Brown re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year contract in March and looks like the favorite for the No. 3 receiver gig behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, if healthy. |
|
Michael Gallup Michael Gallup Managing hamstring strain
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 12:11 PM
Gallup is not participating in Commanders mandatory minicamp Wednesday due to a hamstring strain, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Gallup also sat out Tuesday's minicamp session due to his injury. After a one-season retirement hiatus, Gallup is competing to carve out a depth role in Washington's wide receiver corps and make a comeback in the NFL. His path to a spot on the 53-man roster will become increasingly difficult the more time he misses, but Gallup at least has over a month to get healthy ahead of training camp. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Won't attend mandatory minicamp
Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 8:32 AM
McLaurin will not attend Washington's mandatory minicamp, which takes place Tuesday through Thursday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: McLaurin has regularly skipped voluntary team activities this offseason due to dissatisfaction with his current contract, as he heads into both his age-30 season and the final year of the three-year, $68.2 million extension he signed in 2022. The two-time Pro Bowler looked exceptional as the go-to pass-catching threat of QB Jayden Daniels' breakout rookie season, securing 82 of 117 targets for 1,092 yards and a career-high 13 scores across 17 regular-season appearances. While for fantasy purposes, there's some reason to be concerned that McLaurin is a candidate to regress in terms of efficiency, especially in the touchdowns category, he remains the clear leader of Washington's receiving corps and could benefit from the arrival of new teammate Deebo Samuel. The Commanders should be motivated to quickly negotiate a resolution with McLaurin, rather than risk curtailing the momentum he carries heading into Year 2 with Daniels and in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's scheme. |
|
Brian Robinson Brian Robinson Focused entering contract year
Mon, Jun 2, 2025, 1:57 PM
Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said Robinson "has played an incredibly high level" and "knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level" as he enters the final season of his rookie deal, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Kingsbury called Robinson "focused" and praised his performance "early in the year" during the 2024 season "when he was really healthy." The 2022 second-round pick opened last year with a dominant share of Washington's backfield reps but picked up a knee injury Week 5, then battled ankle and hamstring issues down the stretch. While those injuries only caused Robinson to miss three regular-season games, Kingsbury's comments imply that he could have handled more opportunities had he been fully healthy. Robinson has improved in terms of rushing touchdowns and YPC in each season since entering the NFL, and with Washington's most notable offseason addition to the backfield having been 2025 seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt, he remains positioned for the lead role alongside veteran Austin Ekeler in Kingsbury's run-heavy scheme. The Commanders upgraded the O-line via first-round pick Josh Conerly at right tackle and trade acquisition Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, putting Robinson in position to take advantage of improved blocking in an offense that should take a step forward with Jayden Daniels entering Year 2. |
|
Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Contract dispute brewing?
Wed, May 21, 2025, 1:01 PM
McLaurin is not in attendance at Washington's final voluntary offseason workout Wednesday, though he had previously been a full participant, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: McLaurin is heading into the final season of the three-year, $68.2 million extension he inked with the Commanders in 2022. Fresh off a 2024 campaign in which he connected with QB Jayden Daniels to the tune of an 82-1,096-13 receiving line, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, McLaurin's value to Washington's offense is greater than the $19-20 million in real-money compensation he's slated to earn in 2025. General manager Adam Peters said in late March that he'd like to work out an extension with McLaurin before Week 1, but the 29-year-old's absence from the final session of voluntary workouts now puts some pressure on the team to finalize a deal prior to mandatory minicamp, which will kick off June 10. Offseason trade acquisition Deebo Samuel figures to command pressure from opposing defenses without significantly threatening McLaurin's dominant target share in the deep and intermediate portions of the field, so even if hit by TD regression, the No. 1 wideout's overall volume and production has some room for growth in Year 2 with Daniels at the helm of Kliff Kingsbury's offense. |
Connect With Us:
