2 Commanders listed as DNPs on first Week 1 injury report
By Jerry Trotta
It’s officially game week for the Washington Commanders, so standard procedures are back in full-swing. That includes the weekly injury report.
Since the Commanders play Sunday, they’ll release reports on Wednesday and Friday with the final one coming Sunday morning hours before kickoff.
For the most part, the Commanders enter the new campaign with a clean bill of health. That’s not to say the entire roster is healthy, but the preseason can be regarded as a win considering no key players sustained major injuries.
Unfortunately, though, some players’ statuses for Sunday are currently in question with kickoff just four days away.
Fans have been waiting for an update on Kam Curl after the third-year safety underwent surgery to address a thumb injury. Curl has been wearing a sling and brace over his right arm and he was listed as a DNP on Wednesday’s injury report.
Cam Sims (concussion) joined Curl on the DNP list.
Commanders safety Kam Curl and receiver Cam Sims listed as DNPs on initial Week 1 injury report
For what it’s worth, Ron Rivera said Curl missed practice because he had a doctors appointment. Would Curl have participated if not for the excused absence? That’s anyone’s guess, but it seems like we won’t get more clarity until Friday.
Curl confirmed he underwent surgery following Monday’s practice and revealed the injury happened in the Week 2 preseason game against Kansas City. He called it a “freak accident” and was hopeful about his Week 1 availability, saying he would play in a cast or a club if that’s what it takes for him to get the green light.
Moving on to Sims, fans will recall him taking a huge hit on a crossing pattern against Kansas City and getting helped off the field. Just a few plays later, Sims returned and caught a touchdown in the back of the end zone from Taylor Heinicke.
Sims since entered concussion protocol. There are conflicting reports about whether he was a DNP or limited Wednesday, but the understanding is Sims was back running routes with the other wideouts in some capacity on Wednesday, which would suggest he was “limited” along with tight ends Logan Thomas and Cole Turner.
Turner seems more likely to suit up Sunday than Thomas. On Monday, Turner participated in team drills without limitations for the first time since his hamstring injury and said he expects to play against Jacksonville. Thomas, meanwhile, might be eased in given he’s just recently been activated off the PUP list.
It’s important to remember there’s a lot of uncertainty baked into the Wednesday injury report. We’ll know more about Curl, Sims, Thomas and Turner’s respective availability for Sunday later in the week, so stay tuned.