After the Washington Commanders decided not to make waiver claims following the team’s recent cuts, general manager Adam Peters set about assembling his practice squad for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, edge rusher KJ Henry or cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields were unable to make the cut, as they were signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers, respectively.
Practice squad members have become increasingly important since the NFL moved to a 17-game season. They can be added to the active roster three times before teams are forced to make the move permanent. This provides additional wiggle room in the event of injuries and ensures that players are fully aware of their responsibilities on the practice squad rather than being plucked off the streets and thrown into the fire.
Washington had 16 spots to fill and plenty of options available. Most are usually filled by guys with potential who didn’t quite make the original 53-man roster. Considering how Peters acquired new faces almost at will during a hectic offseason of recruiting, the prospect of some new additions can’t be ruled out.
The Commanders are almost unrecognizable compared to the team that endured another season of misery and failure in 2023. No one is expecting them to perform miracles in the first year of such a drastic rebuild. With an improved infrastructure under Peters’ leadership, they are on the right track. How long it will take them to emerge from obscurity and get back into contention is another question.
Some names on the practice squad were obvious. Others came out of the blue. All will get their chance to contribute. It might not happen immediately, but every role is important if the Commanders are to pull themselves back from the proverbial abyss and achieve respectability.
This is what the Commanders’ practice squad looks like before Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
|
player |
position |
|---|---|
|
Sam Hartman |
QB |
|
Julian Good Jones |
OIL |
|
Mitchell Tinsley |
WR |
|
Brycen Tremayne |
WR |
|
Bobby Price |
CB (reported by NFL Network) |
|
Andre Jones, Jr. |
DE/OLB |
|
Kazmeir Allen |
RB/WR |
|
Chris Rodrigoz Jr. |
RB |
|
Chigozie Anusiem |
CB |
|
Haggai Ndubuisi (IPP) |
DL |
|
Cole Turner |
TE |
|
Carlos Watkins |
EN |
|
Michael Wiley |
RB |
|
Jalen Graham |
LB (SF Chronicle report) |
|
Sheldon Day |
DT |
|
Max Scharping |
OIL |
There will be more additions. The Commanders have scope for more additions as options arise. It’s just a matter of finding the right people that fit the core ethos of the team.
Things are taking shape. Plans are becoming concrete. But given the financial means and capital available, this could change quickly.
