We're inching closer to having Washington Commanders football back in our lives. Their first taste of 2026 preseason action came in a 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins, and the Detroit Lions are up next.
The Commanders' upcoming exhibition in Detroit presents a massive opportunity. And not only for the younger players and fringe-roster guys with something to prove, but also for the established veterans who are suiting up.
Washington's head coach, Dan Quinn, told reporters that "a good amount of starters" will get "some" playing time. Who takes the field and how long they're out there for remains to be determined. Nevertheless, it sounds like there might be a lot riding on this one tune-up game.
Quinn will have his eyes on the entire operation, of course, though he's specifically eager to see a couple of position battles highlighted below. For better or worse, what happens against the Lions could have a significant impact on how things shake out come Week 1.
3 Commanders trending topics to follow in preseason showdown vs. Lions
CB dynamic without Trey Amos
Uncertainty surrounding Amos has many fearing the worst. He's dealing with an ankle sprain while also recovering from a fractured fibula that ended his 2025 campaign, and the lack of clarity is unsettling. Quinn noted that the Commanders' top cornerback won't be available versus Detroit, yet the "arrow is trending up."
Amos' continued absence opens the door for others to make a name for themselves. Perhaps free-agent addition Rasul Douglas gets some beneficial additional live reps as he gets familiar with his new surroundings. Another newcomer, Amik Robertson, can continue jostling with Mike Sainristil for snaps.
It'll be fascinating to see how it all comes together. Washington's secondary is a work in progress; their corner situation is only part of the problem.
Safety next to Nick Cross
Cross was brought in on a two-year contract "worth up to" $14 million this offseason, effectively locking him into the first unit. He provided a much-needed injection of energy around the line of scrimmage that a porous Commanders run-stopping unit sorely lacked last season. The question is who aligns alongside him.
Can Quan Martin show enough to maintain the full-time role he's held since 2024? Will Jeremy Reaves' influence within the organization continue to grow? Where exactly does veteran Will Harris, who had an every-down spot in his nine healthy games this past year, fit into the picture?
prove that his career-high usage in the defensive backfield was justifiable, not only out of necessity?
WR3 behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs
Diggs' late-summer arrival has given Washington a much-needed Robin to McLaurin's Batman. They form one of the NFL's more intriguing wide receiver duos; however, who emerges as the No. 3 option behind them bears watching.
Third-round rookie Antonio Williams has been a buzzy name since the moment the Commanders selected him in April. He's repeatedly flashed the speed and smooth route-running ability that made him a good prospect coming out of college. Many expect the Clemson product to be the third fiddle, but McCaffrey has made a compelling case too.
McCaffrey has enjoyed a strong training camp. So much so that he was listed as a starter on the unofficial depth chart heading into their defeat of the Dolphins. His efforts haven't gone unnoticed, and another solid showing in the Motor City can help separate him from Williams (and the rest of the pack).
How the wideout room shakes out will be interesting. Both McCaffrey and Williams are best suited to work in the slot, which is where Diggs has primarily operated as he's gotten older. Someone will have to line up opposite McLaurin on the outside.
Not to mention, second-year pro Jaylin Lane and vets like Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks and Van Jefferson are still in the mix. It's hard to envision any of them leapfrogging McCaffrey or Williams, yet crazier things have happened.
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