Just like that, Week 2 of preseason is in the rearview. You know what that means? Training camp is winding down, the Washington Commanders have just one preseason game remaining and the regular season will be here before you know it.
Most of the Commanders’ starting and backup roles for the upcoming campaign are settled. We largely know how the QB depth chart will shake out and the same can be said for the offensive and defensive line and secondary.
With that said, some roles remain unresolved with the season opener against Jacksonville just weeks away, so let’s highlight some pressing roster questions Washington must answer before then. Without further ado…
3 roster questions the Commanders must answer before Week 1
3. Who’s the Return Specialist?
Special teams often gets overlooked in terms of importance, but a couple splash plays from the group could alter the outcome of a game. Just ask Bill Belichick. The longtime Patriots head coach practically worships special teams and it’s no coincidence New England is always among the league leaders.
Unfortunately, it’s currently unknown whom Washington will trot out as its kick and punt returner in Week 1. The question is so muddled, in fact, that it gave Antonio Gibson a rep as a kick returner Saturday against the Chiefs.
For what it’s worth, Gibson averaged 28.0 yards on 23 kick returns in college. The Commanders likely don’t want their de facto No. 1 running back returning kicks every game for injury concerns, but that could change if budding rookie Brian Robinson leapfrogs him on the depth chart (more on that in a minute).
The other candidates are Jahan Dotson (for punts), Dax Milne, Alex Erickson and undrafted free agent Kyric McGowan. At this juncture, it’s anyone’s guess whom will get the nod, but Washington better act fast with Week 1 fast approaching.
2. Who’s the Week 1 Starting TE?
The Commanders tight end room is admittedly one of the deepest position groups on the roster, but it’s currently in shambles due to injury.
Logan Thomas is unlikely to suit up Week 1 as he finishes his ACL rehab, Cole Turner is expected to be held out another week or two as he recovers from a hamstring injury, John Bates has been limited with a calf issue and undrafted free agent Curtis Hodges recently joined Turner and Bates on the side field.
That leaves Armani Rogers and Eli Wolf as the only healthy tight ends. While Rogers has impressed during camp and the preseason, is he really ready to start a regular season game, when the intensity climbs several notches?
In a perfect world, Turner will be back in practice next week and assume the starting role. The fifth-round pick has popped as a pass-catcher and Washington keeping him shelved another week could indicate he’s the favorite to start.
While Turner offers plenty of promise as a weapon in the passing game, his blocking technique needs major improvement. Will Bates, a people-mover in the run game, be healthy by Week 1 to make up for Turner’s blocking deficiencies?
All these questions need answers before Week 1.
1. Antonio Gibson or Brian Robinson?
The Commanders have a running back conundrum.
As we’re all aware, Gibson fumbled in the team’s first preseason game against Carolina and his critics (rightfully) came out of the woodwork after he led all RBs with six fumbles last season. Four of those resulted in turnovers.
It’s unclear if Robinson has the edge over Gibson following Saturday’s game vs Kansas City, but Gibson’s rollercoaster week of practice — which saw him deployed both as a blocker for the punt team and a kick/punt returner — suggests the coaching staff is giving serious thought to starting Robinson in Week 1.
Luckily for Washington, there’s still a couple weeks until the Jaguars come to town on Sept. 11 so a decision doesn’t have to be rushed. With that said, though, it would behoove the entire offense if it knew who’s going to line up behind Carson Wentz for the first regular season game so the process should be expedited.
If Saturday’s preseason loss to Kansas City was any indication, however, Robinson’s the clearcut favorite to win the job. While Gibson impressed with his touches, Robinson is far and away the Commanders’ best ball-carrier.