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Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Key role despite modest numbers
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 11:16 PM
Ertz brought in all five targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders' 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions on Saturday night.
Analysis: The veteran tight end finished second in receptions for the Commanders but only fourth in receiving yards, thanks to his short-area role. However, Ertz's value went beyond the stat sheet Saturday, even though his five-yard touchdown grab late in the first half did extend Washington's lead to 10 points at the time. Additionally, Ertz was able to convert a key fourth down early in the fourth quarter that preceded a Brian Robinson one-yard touchdown run, and he also managed to handle a tricky bounce and recover an onside kick with 5:01 remaining and Washington up by 14 points. Ertz should once again play a key complementary role in an NFC Championship Game battle against either the Rams or his old Eagles squad on Sunday, Jan. 26. |
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Dyami Brown Dyami Brown Another standout effort Saturday
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 11:08 PM
Brown brought in six of eight targets for 98 yards in the Commanders' 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions on Saturday night.
Analysis: Brown was the surprise leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets for the Commanders on the night, while also recording the second-longest catch of the night via a 42-yard grab on the first play of the second quarter. The 2021 third-round pick enjoyed an ascendant regular season and has stepped up his play further since, posting a combined 11-187-1 line on 13 targets over Washington's two postseason victories to date. Brown will look to keep up the productive play against either the Rams or the Eagles in an NFC Championship Game battle on Sunday, Jan. 26. |
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Terry McLaurin Terry McLaurin Finds end zone in upset victory
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:56 PM
McLaurin secured four of six targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in the Commanders' 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions on Saturday night.
Analysis: The veteran wideout finished second in receiving yards on the Commanders for the night to Dyami Brown, and his second-quarter touchdown came on a game-long 58-yard catch and run off a wide-receiver screen. McLaurin now has a combined 13-176-2 line on 16 targets over Washington's first pair of postseason wins, and he'll look to record a scoring grab for the fourth consecutive game overall against the Rams or Eagles in an NFC Championship Game matchup on Sunday, Jan. 26. |
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Brian Robinson Brian Robinson Pair of rush TDs in upset
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:51 PM
Robinson rushed 15 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns and wasn't targeted in the Commanders' 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions on Saturday night.
Analysis: The Lions had maintained one of the league's best run defenses all season despite enduring a multitude of injuries, but Robinson and backfield mate Austin Ekeler both were able to make significant inroads on the ground Saturday. Robinson operated in his usual No. 1 back role and recorded two- and one-yard rushing touchdowns in the second and fourth quarter, respectively. The talented third-year back served as a key component of the Commanders' offensive success and helped keep the Lions' defense off balance in Jayden Daniels' second career playoff start, and he'll look to fill a similar role in an NFC Championship Game matchup against the Rams or Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 26. |
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Jayden Daniels Jayden Daniels Leads monumental upset Saturday
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:33 PM
Daniels completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and added 51 rushing yards on 16 carries in the Commanders' 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions on Saturday night.
Analysis: The Commanders shocked the NFL world by going into Ford Field and emerging with a victory, and Daniels was unsurprisingly the centerpiece of that effort. The seemingly unflappable rookie set the tone for the night in the first half by leading four scoring drives that totaled 24 points, capping off two of them with touchdown passes of 58 and five yards to Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, respectively. Daniels then filled a more subdued role in the second half but had the luxury of playing with a lead throughout, and he engineered a pair of long marches that took a total of nearly 13 minutes off the clock and culminated in Brian Robinson and Jeremy McNichols one-yard rushing touchdowns. In the process, Daniels became the first rookie in NFL history to top 300 total yards in two playoff games, and he'll look to put together a fitting encore in the NFC Championship Game against either the Rams or Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 26. |
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Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Back in Saturday's game
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 9:25 PM
Zaccheaus (groin) returned to Saturday's divisional-round contest in Detroit, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Zaccheaus was deemed questionable to return late in the first half due to a groin injury but rejoined his teammates on the Commanders' second possession after halftime. He'll rejoin a receiving composed of Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder and Luke McCaffrey. |
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Olamide Zaccheaus Olamide Zaccheaus Injures groin Saturday
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8:54 PM
Zaccheaus suffered a groin injury during Saturday's divisional-round contest at Detroit.
Analysis: Prior to his exit late in the second quarter, Zaccheaus hadn't hauled in either of his two targets. As long as Zaccheaus is sidelined, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder and Luke McCaffrey will be the available wide receivers behind top option Terry McLaurin. |
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Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Back in Saturday's game
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8:41 PM
Ertz (head) returned to Saturday's divisional-round game in Detroit, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: In the first half of Saturday's back-and-forth affair, Ertz was checked for a concussion following a fourth-down connection with Jayden Daniels that eventually was followed by a Brian Robinson touchdown run. Ertz announced his return to the game with a TD of his own just before halftime and will look to build upon his 3-18-1 line on three targets. |
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Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Getting concussion check
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8:10 PM
Ertz is under evaluation for a concussion during Saturday's divisional-round game at Detroit.
Analysis: With the Commanders facing fourth-and-3 at the Lions' nine-yard line early in the second quarter, QB Jayden Daniels connected with Ertz for a seven-yard gain, but in the process of getting tackled the tight end took hits from multiple defenders and appeared to be banged-up afterward. If Ertz is diagnosed with a concussion, he'll finish Saturday's contest with two catches (on two targets) for 13 yards. |
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K.J. Osborn K.J. Osborn Healthy scratch vs. Detroit
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 6:00 PM
Osborn (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Lions, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Analysis: Osborn was also a healthy inactive for last weekend's wild-card win over Tampa Bay. The veteran wideout has played just once since being claimed off waivers by the Commanders on Dec.11. Washington's wideout corps against Detroit will consist of Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, Jamison Crowder and Luke McCaffrey. |
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Jeff Driskel Jeff Driskel Serving as emergency QB vs. Lions
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 5:55 PM
Driskel (coach's decision) is inactive Saturday and will serve as Washington's emergency third quarterback against Detroit in the NFC divisional round, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Analysis: This is a familiar role for Driskel, as he has consistently been inactive as Washington's emergency QB on gamedays. He's gotten into only one contest on the campaign, taking one offensive snap as the backup to Jayden Daniels in Week 2. Driskel won't be able to enter Saturday's playoff contest unless both Daniels and Marcus Mariota become unable to play due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Chris Rodriguez Chris Rodriguez Inactive again
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 5:51 PM
Rodriguez (coach's decision) is listed as inactive for Saturday's divisional-round game in Detroit.
Analysis: As he was in the Commanders' wild-card win at Tampa Bay last weekend, Rodriguez will remain in street clothes Saturday while Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols man Washington's backfield. |
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Michael Strachan Michael Strachan Sticking with Washington
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 3:38 PM
The Commanders signed Strachan to a reserve/future contract Friday.
Analysis: Strachan will get an opportunity to continue his development with Washington this offseason, though his contract makes him ineligible to contribute during the team's postseason run. That means Strachan won't be a candidate to suit up for Saturday's road divisional-round matchup against the Lions on Saturday. |
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Ben Sinnott Ben Sinnott Cleared to play against Detroit
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 4:13 PM
Sinnott (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation into Saturday's NFC divisional-round game against the Lions.
Analysis: Sinnott injured his shoulder during the Commanders' NFC wild-card win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday. He was limited in practice all week, but he has done enough to avoid an injury tag heading into Saturday's contest. Sinnott will serve as Washington's No. 3 tight end behind Zach Ertz (ribs) and John Bates. |
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Jamison Crowder Jamison Crowder Clear for Saturday
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 3:10 PM
Crowder (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's wild-card game in Detroit.
Analysis: After not practicing Tuesday due to a hamstring issue, Crowder managed a pair of limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday, which was enough activity for him to be available for Saturday's matchup. Since the Commanders' Week 14 bye, he's compiled an 8-67-2 line on 12 targets over the last five contests, including playoffs. |
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Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Ready for Saturday
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 3:06 PM
Ertz (ribs) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game at Detroit.
Analysis: Ertz progressed from no activity Tuesday to some Wednesday before logging a full session Thursday as he tended to a rib injury. With his status confirmed ahead of Saturday's contest, he should be in store for the 5.3 targets per game that he's averaged in 18 outings between the regular season and playoffs. |
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Ben Sinnott Ben Sinnott Logs another limited session
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 3:26 PM
Sinnott (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Analysis: The 2024 second-round pick from Kansas State has now opened the Commanders' week of practice with consecutive limited sessions after sustaining a shoulder injury in the team's wild-card win over the Buccaneers. Sinnott's practice participation Thursday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play through the issue in Saturday's divisional round matchup against the Lions. If he's unable to suit up, Washington's tight end room will likely consist of Zach Ertz (ribs) and John Bates. |
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Jamison Crowder Jamison Crowder Limited in Wednesday's practice
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 3:18 PM
Crowder was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury.
Analysis: On Washington's initial divisional-round injury report released Tuesday, Crowder was listed as a non-participant in practice due to both the hamstring issue and rest, but only the hamstring issue appears next to his name on Wednesday's report. Crowder is likely just getting some extra maintenance ahead of Saturday's game against the Lions, as Commanders head coach Dan Quinn hasn't suggested that the veteran wideout's status for the contest is in any jeopardy. In the Commanders' wild-card win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday, Crowder started but played just 11 of the team's 73 offensive snaps and finished without a target. |
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Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Limited in Wednesday's practice
Wed, Jan 15, 2025, 3:16 PM
Ertz was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a rib injury.
Analysis: On Washington's initial divisional-round injury report released Tuesday, Ertz was listed as a non-participant in practice due to both the rib issue and rest, but only the rib issue appears next to his name on Wednesday's report. Ertz is likely just getting some extra maintenance ahead of Saturday's game against the Lions, as Commanders head coach Dan Quinn hasn't suggested that the veteran tight end's status for the contest is in any jeopardy. In the Commanders' wild-card win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday, Ertz played 62 percent of the snaps on offense and finished with two catches for 23 yards on four targets. |
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Ben Sinnott Ben Sinnott Limited in practice to open week
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 6:30 PM
Sinnott (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Tuesday.
Analysis: Sinnott hurt his shoulder in the first half of Sunday's wild-card win against Tampa Bay, but he was able to return after halftime. The rookie tight end logged 10 percent of Washington's offensive snaps in the victory -- which is in line with his usual snap share in recent weeks -- and didn't get any touches or targets. Sinnott's practice participation level Wednesday and Thursday should determine whether he is tagged with an injury designation heading into the weekend. |
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