Brandon Coleman's struggles
The Washington Commanders are feeling the injury loss of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who may be out for the year with a torn triceps. Any team would miss someone with his elite production, but they were also confident that 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman could fill the void.
Coleman's start has been up and down in his third season in Washington. This is a performance he'll want to forget.
The New York Giants targeted Coleman as a weak link, and they succeeded. The TCU product never looked truly comfortable, and he must fix his pass-protection flaws quickly without Tunsil's immensely influential presence holding down the blindside.
Mike Sainristil at safety
Things have taken a concerning turn for Mike Sainristil this season. He quickly became a liability at cornerback, and getting just five snaps in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts signaled the coaches' waning trust in him.
With Nick Cross missing another game while he recovers from an internal issue, defensive coordinator Daronte Jones got a chance to try something new. Sainristil was used at safety in special packages, which might be the only route he has left to carve out a long-term role in Washington.
On initial reactions, Sainristil did pretty well. Obviously, we'll see more from the game film, but this might be a trend Washington continues over its remaining contests.
Daron Payne's dominant flashes
The Commanders are giving defensive lineman Daron Payne a chance to earn another lucrative contract this season. He is making the most of it, and the Alabama product delivered another dominant display against the Giants to keep his momentum going.
Payne was highly disruptive from the outset. He was a commanding presence against the run, and when it came time to put Jameis Winston under pressure, he took full advantage.
When Payne is firing on all cylinders, he is almost impossible to stop. And if he keeps this up for a full 17-game season, the Commanders will quite happily give him the money he's looking for.
Deatrich Wise Jr.'s massive moment
Deatrich Wise Jr. was active for the Commanders. This is the first time in more than a year that the defensive lineman has featured, and he wasted no time in making an impact.
Wise might have been gone a while, but his veteran savvy quickly came to the fore as he helped the Commanders force a turnover on a Jameis Winston fumble. There were signs of rust, which isn't surprising, but the Super Bowl winner flashed some positive moments in the rotation.
The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Arkansas will be a lot better for this experience. And making a huge play will no doubt be a massive confidence boost.
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