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The Washington Commanders have completed two weeks of training camp. A lot happened in Week 2, as wide receiver Stefon Diggs finally signed with the Commanders after weeks of speculation. Diggs is more than thrilled to be "home."
Washington saw the returns of three injured players last week, as edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, cornerback Trey Amos and punter Tress Way all returned to the practice field. Unfortunately, the Commanders lost perhaps their best player on Saturday, when left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps. Now, Tunsil is either out for the entire 2026 season or a significant portion of it. It was brutal news for Washington.
Last week, we made our second 53-man roster projection before the Diggs and Tunsil news. Therefore, things will look a bit different. So, here are our latest projections after two weeks of training camp.
A big change here. Where we've gone with three quarterbacks in our first two projections, we go with two here. That could be risky with Jayden Daniels missing 10 games last season, but rookie Athan Kaliakmanis should have no trouble making it to the practice squad. In that case, he'd still be Washington's No. 3 quarterback, allowing the Commanders to keep another player elsewhere.
No changes here, and we don't think there will be any. All have flashed at some point in camp. We think the Commanders will keep four because McNichols offers value in multiple places, including on special teams.
We've been sticking with six, but after Diggs signed, we're going with seven. Remember, Washington can justify keeping McCaffrey and Lane active on game days because they return kicks and punts, respectively. McCaffrey is also having an impressive camp, showing a feistier side. This is a much deeper group than Washington has had in years. McLaurin and Diggs give the Commanders an outstanding starting duo, while the race for the No. 3 job likely comes down to Burks, McCaffrey and Williams.
No changes here. The Commanders like Lawrence Cager, but there's no way they can keep five tight ends. Bates remains out, but he'll be fine for Week 1. As things currently stand, all four players should have a role in the regular season. Yankoff could go from special teams standout to offensive contributor. He's having a really nice camp.
It was difficult to leave Laremy Tunsil's name off here, but he's more than likely lost for the season. That means Brandon Coleman is the left tackle. The likely starting lineup now looks like this: Coleman (LT), Paul (LG), Allegretti (C), Cosmi (RG), Conerly (RT). Wylie is Washington's top reserve, with Scott right behind him. There will be a battle for the final spot or two. With all of the uncertainty, we believe the Commanders will keep nine offensive linemen. The rookie Gulbin likely gets one spot, as he can play center or guard. With Scott and Wylie able to play tackle and guard, the final spot should go to someone who can play center, as it would be too risky to go into the season with Gulbin as the only backup center. So, for now, we will go with the recently signed Daniel Brunskill due to his experience.
No changes here. These four are locks, barring a surprising trade. The defensive line has looked good early in camp.
No changes here. Oweh and Chaisson have been off to an impressive start in training camp. So has the rookie Josephs. Armstrong was activated last week, but is still working his way back to full participation.
Same group as last week. Washington will find a way to keep Medrano. He's young and fast, and still developing as a linebacker. He will edge Ale Kaho for that final spot. He still has a ways to go at linebacker, but is impressive on special teams.
The most shocking news last week came when veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon told the team he was retiring after Washington's first padded practice. Witherspoon was on track to make the 53 as a reserve cornerback. The Commanders immediately signed their former third-round pick, Fabian Moreau, to replace him. There are no other younger corners in camp standing out, so we think Moreau is on track to get that final corner spot. It's also possible that Washington keeps four, but unlikely.
Jeremy Reaves is having an impressive camp. The former All-Pro special teamer could be Washington's other starting safety, opposite Nick Cross. What does this mean for Quan Martin? Could Martin be left off the 53? I wouldn't be shocked. It's hard to leave Percy Butler off here, because he's outstanding on special teams. Ultimately, I believe the Commanders will keep five safeties, with the fifth safety coming down to Martin — a former second-round pick — and Butler. Today, we lean Martin, but that could change.
Last week, we selected Jake Moody as the player to win Washington's kicking job. However, things have changed over the past week, with Stevens jumping ahead in this competition. Moody hasn't been bad, but Stevens has just been better.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after Week 2 of camp?
Continue reading...
Washington saw the returns of three injured players last week, as edge rusher Dorance Armstrong, cornerback Trey Amos and punter Tress Way all returned to the practice field. Unfortunately, the Commanders lost perhaps their best player on Saturday, when left tackle Laremy Tunsil tore his triceps. Now, Tunsil is either out for the entire 2026 season or a significant portion of it. It was brutal news for Washington.
Last week, we made our second 53-man roster projection before the Diggs and Tunsil news. Therefore, things will look a bit different. So, here are our latest projections after two weeks of training camp.
Quarterback (2)
- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
A big change here. Where we've gone with three quarterbacks in our first two projections, we go with two here. That could be risky with Jayden Daniels missing 10 games last season, but rookie Athan Kaliakmanis should have no trouble making it to the practice squad. In that case, he'd still be Washington's No. 3 quarterback, allowing the Commanders to keep another player elsewhere.
Running back (4)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Rachaad White
- Kaytron Allen
- Jeremy McNichols
No changes here, and we don't think there will be any. All have flashed at some point in camp. We think the Commanders will keep four because McNichols offers value in multiple places, including on special teams.
Wide receiver (7)
- Terry McLaurin
- Stefon Diggs
- Dyami Brown
- Treylon Burks
- Luke McCaffrey
- Jaylin Lane
- Antonio Williams
We've been sticking with six, but after Diggs signed, we're going with seven. Remember, Washington can justify keeping McCaffrey and Lane active on game days because they return kicks and punts, respectively. McCaffrey is also having an impressive camp, showing a feistier side. This is a much deeper group than Washington has had in years. McLaurin and Diggs give the Commanders an outstanding starting duo, while the race for the No. 3 job likely comes down to Burks, McCaffrey and Williams.
Tight end (4)
- Chig Okonkwo
- John Bates
- Ben Sinnott
- Colson Yankoff
No changes here. The Commanders like Lawrence Cager, but there's no way they can keep five tight ends. Bates remains out, but he'll be fine for Week 1. As things currently stand, all four players should have a role in the regular season. Yankoff could go from special teams standout to offensive contributor. He's having a really nice camp.
Offensive line (9)
- Josh Conerly Jr.
- Sam Cosmi
- Nick Allegretti
- Chris Paul
- Brandon Coleman
- Matt Gulbin
- Andrew Wylie
- Trent Scott
- Daniel Brunskill
It was difficult to leave Laremy Tunsil's name off here, but he's more than likely lost for the season. That means Brandon Coleman is the left tackle. The likely starting lineup now looks like this: Coleman (LT), Paul (LG), Allegretti (C), Cosmi (RG), Conerly (RT). Wylie is Washington's top reserve, with Scott right behind him. There will be a battle for the final spot or two. With all of the uncertainty, we believe the Commanders will keep nine offensive linemen. The rookie Gulbin likely gets one spot, as he can play center or guard. With Scott and Wylie able to play tackle and guard, the final spot should go to someone who can play center, as it would be too risky to go into the season with Gulbin as the only backup center. So, for now, we will go with the recently signed Daniel Brunskill due to his experience.
Defensive line (4)
- Daron Payne
- Tim Settle
- Javon Kinlaw
- Johnny Newton
No changes here. These four are locks, barring a surprising trade. The defensive line has looked good early in camp.
Edge (5)
- Odafe Oweh
- K’Lavon Chaisson
- Dorance Armstrong
- Charles Omenihu
- Joshua Josephs
No changes here. Oweh and Chaisson have been off to an impressive start in training camp. So has the rookie Josephs. Armstrong was activated last week, but is still working his way back to full participation.
Linebacker (5)
- Frankie Luvu
- Sonny Styles
- Leo Chenal
- Jordan Magee
- Kain Medrano
Same group as last week. Washington will find a way to keep Medrano. He's young and fast, and still developing as a linebacker. He will edge Ale Kaho for that final spot. He still has a ways to go at linebacker, but is impressive on special teams.
Cornerback (5)
- Mike Sainristil
- Trey Amos
- Amik Robertson
- Rasul Douglas
- Fabian Moreau
The most shocking news last week came when veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon told the team he was retiring after Washington's first padded practice. Witherspoon was on track to make the 53 as a reserve cornerback. The Commanders immediately signed their former third-round pick, Fabian Moreau, to replace him. There are no other younger corners in camp standing out, so we think Moreau is on track to get that final corner spot. It's also possible that Washington keeps four, but unlikely.
Safety (5)
- Quan Martin
- Nick Cross
- Will Harris
- Jeremy Reaves
- Tyler Owens
Jeremy Reaves is having an impressive camp. The former All-Pro special teamer could be Washington's other starting safety, opposite Nick Cross. What does this mean for Quan Martin? Could Martin be left off the 53? I wouldn't be shocked. It's hard to leave Percy Butler off here, because he's outstanding on special teams. Ultimately, I believe the Commanders will keep five safeties, with the fifth safety coming down to Martin — a former second-round pick — and Butler. Today, we lean Martin, but that could change.
Special teams (3)
- K Drew Stevens
- P Tress Way
- LS Tyler Ott
Last week, we selected Jake Moody as the player to win Washington's kicking job. However, things have changed over the past week, with Stevens jumping ahead in this competition. Moody hasn't been bad, but Stevens has just been better.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after Week 2 of camp?
Continue reading...
