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The Washington Commanders practiced on Monday for the first time since learning that star left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in Saturday's practice and would be out for most, if not all, of the upcoming season.
Third-year pro Brandon Coleman was back at left tackle in place of Tunsil on Monday. The 2024 third-round pick started 12 games at left tackle as a rookie in 2024, plus three playoff games, and three late last season in place of Tunsil. He's played well at left tackle, earning the trust of his coaches and teammates. Coleman had been competing for the starting left guard position with Chris Paul.
Both head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator David Blough praised Coleman.
Outside of the Tunsil news, it was business as usual for the Commanders on Monday. Washington is set to host the Miami Dolphins for a joint practice on Wednesday, followed by the preseason opener for both teams on Friday night at Northwest Stadium.
As for Monday's practice, here are four players who stood out.
Yet another good day for quarterback Jayden Daniels. His rapport with Stefon Diggs continues to grow with each practice, and he found old pal Dyami Brown for a touchdown on Monday while under pressure. Daniels has been throwing more downfield in camp, which is giving him more confidence. Daniels has been on fire most days since camp began two weeks ago. It was yet another strong performance on Monday. Blough praised his accuracy after practice.
This offseason, Croskey-Merritt needed to work on three things if he planned to become Washington's RB1: pass protection, receiving, and fumbling. Bill, who is bulkier this camp, has looked great catching the football since camp started. The added bulk appears to have helped him in pass protection, too. Croskey-Merritt had multiple solid reps in pass protection on Monday. He doesn't need to be Clinton Portis in pass protection, but if he's shown significant improvement, it means he'll stay in the field. He doesn't win them all, but he's shown a marked improvement. The arrow continues to point up for Bill.
Most teams would be dead in the water if a player like Laremy Tunsil was lost for the season. Washington's hopes were significantly impacted by Tunsil's injury, but all was not lost. Not every team has a Brandon Coleman. A young, athletic player who has 18 NFL starts at left tackle through his first two seasons. Coleman isn't Tunsil, but he doesn't need to be. In his three-game audition in place of an injured Tunsil last season, Coleman looked much improved from his rookie season. In Monday's practice, he was right back to work, having multiple solid reps against Washington's front, including Odafe Oweh and Javon Kinlaw.
I know we haven't heard Payne's name a lot this camp, but he's quietly put together a solid two weeks of practice. Yes, there will be jokes about "contract year" Payne, but perhaps the scheme change is benefiting him more than anything. Payne has been strong against the run all camp and had another strong performance on Monday. While everyone's focus is on Washington's defensive newcomers, don't forget about Payne. He doesn't need to repeat his breakout 2022 season to be successful. Payne just needs to make an impact in the middle of Washington's defensive line, and that doesn't always mean in the sack column.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 4 standouts from Day 9 of Commanders training camp
Continue reading...
Third-year pro Brandon Coleman was back at left tackle in place of Tunsil on Monday. The 2024 third-round pick started 12 games at left tackle as a rookie in 2024, plus three playoff games, and three late last season in place of Tunsil. He's played well at left tackle, earning the trust of his coaches and teammates. Coleman had been competing for the starting left guard position with Chris Paul.
Both head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator David Blough praised Coleman.
Outside of the Tunsil news, it was business as usual for the Commanders on Monday. Washington is set to host the Miami Dolphins for a joint practice on Wednesday, followed by the preseason opener for both teams on Friday night at Northwest Stadium.
As for Monday's practice, here are four players who stood out.
QB Jayden Daniels
Yet another good day for quarterback Jayden Daniels. His rapport with Stefon Diggs continues to grow with each practice, and he found old pal Dyami Brown for a touchdown on Monday while under pressure. Daniels has been throwing more downfield in camp, which is giving him more confidence. Daniels has been on fire most days since camp began two weeks ago. It was yet another strong performance on Monday. Blough praised his accuracy after practice.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
This offseason, Croskey-Merritt needed to work on three things if he planned to become Washington's RB1: pass protection, receiving, and fumbling. Bill, who is bulkier this camp, has looked great catching the football since camp started. The added bulk appears to have helped him in pass protection, too. Croskey-Merritt had multiple solid reps in pass protection on Monday. He doesn't need to be Clinton Portis in pass protection, but if he's shown significant improvement, it means he'll stay in the field. He doesn't win them all, but he's shown a marked improvement. The arrow continues to point up for Bill.
LT Brandon Coleman
Most teams would be dead in the water if a player like Laremy Tunsil was lost for the season. Washington's hopes were significantly impacted by Tunsil's injury, but all was not lost. Not every team has a Brandon Coleman. A young, athletic player who has 18 NFL starts at left tackle through his first two seasons. Coleman isn't Tunsil, but he doesn't need to be. In his three-game audition in place of an injured Tunsil last season, Coleman looked much improved from his rookie season. In Monday's practice, he was right back to work, having multiple solid reps against Washington's front, including Odafe Oweh and Javon Kinlaw.
DT Daron Payne
I know we haven't heard Payne's name a lot this camp, but he's quietly put together a solid two weeks of practice. Yes, there will be jokes about "contract year" Payne, but perhaps the scheme change is benefiting him more than anything. Payne has been strong against the run all camp and had another strong performance on Monday. While everyone's focus is on Washington's defensive newcomers, don't forget about Payne. He doesn't need to repeat his breakout 2022 season to be successful. Payne just needs to make an impact in the middle of Washington's defensive line, and that doesn't always mean in the sack column.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 4 standouts from Day 9 of Commanders training camp
Continue reading...
