Washington Commanders’ roster cuts tracker ahead of 53-man deadline

The last thing the Washington Commanders community wants to think about right now is roster cuts. Everyone is currently fixated on the status of Brian Robinson, who was shot multiple times in his lower extremities during an attempted carjacking or armed robbery in Washington, D.C., early Sunday evening, per reports.

Robinson is in stable condition and injuries aren’t considered life-threatening. The rookie running back was visited by family members and several team officials  including Ron Rivera, who tweeted an encouraging update on Robinson, saying he’s in “good spirits” and appreciates everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

While Robinson recovers, NFL teams, including the Commanders, are working around the clock to submit their regular-season rosters. The average team is currently at 80 players and has to reduce its total to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

If you do the math, over 860 players will get released in the next 24 hours. Luckily, a multitude of those players will find a new home via waivers. Not to mention, practice squads carry 16 players, so there are a few silver linings.

If you’re wondering who’s in and out for the Commanders so far, bookmark this page and follow along with us here.

Commanders active roster cuts tracker as they cut down from 80 players to 53 by Tuesday’s deadline.

Sammis Reyes, TE

Reyes suffered a hamstring injury during camp and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. The Commanders reached an injury settlement with Reyes and he’s been released from IR, making him a free agent.

Nathan Gerry, LB

The Commanders signed Gerry for his coverage ability late in camp and he was expected to play a key role in the linebacker rotation. However, he suffered an injury in preseason and landed on the Reserve/Injured List before reaching an injury settlement with Washington to become a free agent.

Deion Calhoun, OG

Part of Washington’s first wave of cuts, Calhoun signed a reserve/futures contract with the franchise in January.

Channing Stribling, CB

Stribling took the USFL by storm this season with the Philadelphia Stars, tallying a league-high seven interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The Commanders signed him this summer but he was waived to make room for Wes Martin.

Kelvin Harmon, WR

Harmon’s release came as a bit of a surprise. Perhaps the Commanders released him out of respect to give him enough time to find another home. He’s a potential practice squad candidate if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Rashod Hill, OT

The Commanders signed Hill in late July amid injuries to their offensive line. He appeared in 74 games over six years with the Vikings.

Alex Armah, FB

Like Reyes and Gerry, Armah landed on the Reserve/Injured List. Armah was signed in the middle of last season after he was waived by the Saints and appeared in two games for Washington, logging 28 snaps on special teams.

Troy Apke, DB

A fourth-round pick by Washington in 2018, Apke appeared in 50 games over four seasons, making nine starts. He played almost exclusively on special teams and didn’t log a single defensive rep in 17 games last season.

Jequez Ezzard, WR

Signed as a UDFA in April, Ezzard record 1,470 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his final two years of college at Sam Houston State.

De’Vante Bausby, CB

A former undrafted free agent in 2016, Bausby has played for multiple NFL teams and most recently played for the New jersey Generals of the USFL before he signed with Washington this summer.

Bunmi Rotimi, DE

Another Commanders who went down with injury this preseason, Rotimi reached an injury settlement with Washington and is now a free agent.

Steven Parker, S

Several Commanders fans were campaigning for Parker to make the final roster, and understandably so given how he performed at camp and in the preseason. We’d be surprised if he went unclaimed on waivers.

Tyler Clark, DT

Clark’s release isn’t a huge surprise. The Commanders are expected to roll with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Phidarian Mathis and potentially Daniel Wise and David Bada at defensive tackle. James Smith-Williams and Efe Obada are capable of kicking inside on passing downs, too.

Jacub Panasiuk, DE

Panasiuk was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason and had been battling for one of the final defensive end spots.

Justin Hamilton, DT

Like Clark, Hamilton’s release isn’t a huge surprise. The Commanders have other more deserving defensive tackles worth keeping.

Matt Cole, WR

Cole actually performed well in limited opportunities this preseason, but he always needed a miracle to make the final team.

Danny Johnson, CB

The first so-called surprise release, Johnson flashed in camp but was routinely picked up in preseason, which likely sealed his fate. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he made his way back to the practice squad, however.

Corn Elder, CB

Another small surprise, as Elder had performed well during camp. Expect the Commanders to make a cornerback signing now.

William Bradley-King, DE

Don’t be surprised if Bradley-King ends up on the practice squad. The 2021 seventh-round pick was the team’s highest-graded defender in preseason, per PFF. He’d be a worthwhile stash in case injuries crop up.

Wes Martin, OL

The Commanders claimed Martin off waivers last week when their interior offensive line was banged up. With Trai Turner and Wes Schweitzer returning to practice, Martin became expendable, but he could get signed to the practice squad.

Khaleke Hudson, LB

This might be the biggest shocker so far given the status of Washington’s linebacker room. Hudson was expected to play a role in the rotation. Now, the group has even more questions behind Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis.

Tre Walker, LB

Walker famously retired, then un-retired and returned to training camp the following day in early-August. He was signed as a UDFA in April.

Ferrod Garder, S/LB

Another UDFA signing, insider Tom Peliserro understands the Commanders want Gardner on the practice squad if he clears waivers. He played just 34 snaps in the preseason, but it seems like the team is keen on developing him.

Jon Toth, C

Chase Roullier is back healthy, Tyler Larsen will be back in October and Wes Schweitzer can play center in a pinch. Furthermore, Toth allowed six pressures, three hurries and three QB hits against Baltimore. Simple as that.

Nolan Laufenberg, OL

The Commanders are clearly confident in their interior OL depth. You have to think Saahdiq Charles and Chris Paul are safe now.

Kyric McGowan, WR

McGowan was in contention for Washington’s kick return job. It’ll be interesting to see who ultimately gets that role. Have to think Antonio Gibson is out of contention with Brian Robinson recovering from his gunshot wounds.

Marken Michel, WR

Michel impressed in camp and Washington’s coaching staff likes him, but they would’ve been hard-pressed to squeeze him into the their deep WR room.

Aaron Monteiro, OL

Monteiro’s 161 preseason snaps were the most among Washington’s offensive lineman. He allowed six hits and two pressures and could bring value on the practice squad if the line’s injury woes from camp rear their ugly head.

David Bada, DL

This might come as a surprise, but Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post understands it purely procedural. If Bada clears waivers, the club will re-sign him (to the practice squad) through the International Pathway Program.

Alex Akingbulu, OT

The Commanders signed Akingbulu at the start of camp. With both starting tackles healthy and Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles and Chris Paul capable of filling in at the position, Akingbulu became expendable.

DeJuan Neal, CB

Another cornerback bites the dust. Any chance Neal had at sticking surely ended in the preseason finale when he allowed 102 yards on just two receptions.

Jaret Patterson, RB

Patterson’s release is a painful one for Commanders fans. Last year’s feel-good story is gone in favor of Jonathan Williams. Don’t be surprised if Patterson clears waivers and gets re-signed to the practice squad.

Alex Erickson, WR

Erickson performed well in the preseason, but the best chance he had at making the roster was as the primary return specialist. Seems like Washington has preferred to go in another direction. The question is, who?

Kendall Blanton, TE

With Logan Thomas off the PUP List, and Cole Turner and John Bates returning to practice Monday, Blanton, the Commanders had no reason to keep Blanton, whom they claimed off waivers from the Rams last week.

Jake Haussmann, TE

See Blanton’s blurb.