3 Commanders players skating on thin ice entering training camp
By Jerry Trotta
We might only be approaching the end of June, but it feels like the Washington Commanders‘ roster is beginning to come together. That’ll happen when you return numerous starters, but we learned a lot from OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
With OTAs and minicamp in the rearview mirror, attention is slowly turning to the Commanders taking the field in Ashburn for their annual training camp.
Though dozens of roles are already settled, there will be plenty of roster battles to monitor. With positions like tight end, wide receiver and the offensive and defensive line lacking clarity at the back of their respective rotations, there will be no shortage of competitions that’ll unfold over the three-week long camp.
Whether it be a matter of a positional logjam, poor performance during spring practices or potential salary cap savings, let’s highlight three Commanders who face an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster entering camp.
3 Commanders players on thin ice entering training camp
3. Dax Milne
The top five spots in Washington’s receiving room appear set in stone: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and Cam Sims. Assuming health — and that McLaurin’s contract situation gets settled — that leaves one open spot and roughly six players fighting for it.
After OTAs and minicamp, it’s fair to say Marken Michel, who routinely got open and made plays with the second-team offense, is winning the race. That could spell trouble for Milne, one of the team’s three seventh-round picks last year, and his hopes of carving out a role as a pass-catcher in Year 2.
Let’s put it like this. The Commanders’ receiving corps was a disaster behind McLaurin last campaign … and Milne still couldn’t get on the field, losing snaps to DeAndre Carter, Adam Humphries and the underused Sims.
When the dust settled, the former BYU standout appeared in 13 games and played just 19 percent of the offensive snaps (163 total). With the receiving room as deep as we can remember, and Michel leaving his mark during spring practices, the 23-year-old slot receiver is firmly on thin ice entering training camp.
If Milne doesn’t show out as a returner in camp, he could find himself on the practice squad to start the season.