Did Ron Rivera just confirm these 2 bubble players will make 53-man roster?

Like most teams, the Washington Commanders enter the final week of preseason with most of their 53-man roster spots already decided. With that said, head coach Ron Rivera recently said there’s some spots the staff is still looking at and they could be decided by how players perform Saturday against Baltimore.

Rivera touched on several pertinent topics during his latest press conference, including the Ravens’ record-setting preseason win streak, Chase Young’s progress in his ACL rehab, the team managing Curtis Samuel’s reps, Carson Wentz’s “resilience” and Sonny Jurgensen’s jersey retirement ceremony.

While all relevant, what if we told you those topics weren’t the most revealing information from Washington’s head coach? Somewhere along the way, Rivera listed two players who’ve caught his attention during preseason.

As it turns out, these players — Dax Milne and Casey Toohill — are on the so-called roster bubble and Rivera’s praise might’ve confirmed their security as far as making the 53-man roster, which is due this coming Tuesday.

Did Ron Rivera subtly confirm Dax Milne and Casey Toohill will make the Commanders’ 53-man roster?

"“A guy that’s really shined, but we have always felt good about him is Dax Milne,” Rivera said. “I think Dax has played very well in both preseason games and has flashed in a lot of ways and has gotten our attention; he really has.”"

Milne’s training camp got off to a turbulent start amid the Zach Wilson drama — that you have to read to believe — but the 2021 seventh-round pick has been one of the Commanders’ most consistent performers during camp and the preseason.

Through two games, Milne has six catches for 67 yards. Not earth-shattering numbers by any stretch, but good enough for second on the team and rock-solid for someone who’s buried on the depth chart behind Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Samuel, Cam Sims and Dyami Brown.

If Rivera runs a meritocracy, Milne’s roster spot would be safer than Brown’s given the BYU product has vastly outperformed the 2021 third-rounder. Given his experience returning punts, it sounds like Milne will make the 53-man roster and potentially play a key role on offense and special teams as a sophomore.

Nothing less than he deserves, don’t you think?

Last, but certainly not least, is Toohill, who’s going to be needed to step up on the defensive line with Young out the first four games.

"“And then (Casey) Toohill. You know, here’s a guy that we picked up and all he’s done is improve and his practice habits have been tremendous.”"

Not that there was any doubts about Toohill’s roster spot — though he’s technically been battling Efe Obada, Shaka Toney, William Bradley-King and others during camp and preseason — but Rivera heaping praise on the third-year edge rusher all but confirms he’ll be a part of the DL rotation to open the season.

It just goes to show the importance of practice. If you treat it like a game, the coaching staff will take notice. Let’s hope Toohill can turn this praise into some production once the regular season gets underway, because Young’s absence creates a huge hole on the line opposite Montez Sweat.